tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21026336101711641162024-02-18T23:34:08.972-06:00The Princess in TrainingDocumentation of a lifestyle hime-gyaru in the making.Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-11592499157059662872016-11-08T16:57:00.001-06:002016-11-08T16:57:45.529-06:00I'm on Instagram!Hello hello~! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/2570ccdefb0c4b1654e0696a68244cf7dd06f6cf_zpsfe25fced.gif" /><br />
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Here's a little post to let you know that I have an Instagram account now! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_inline_mg1aeoxr2j1qdlkyg_zps18fb5e6a.gif" /> I wasn't sure I would like Instagram since I couldn't get into Tumblr or Pinterest when I tried those, but I actually like it a lot! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/8cb38caeabbf7062d7d99943ec6001dbaf86d79f_zpsdcbdf616.gif" /> I even update there at least once a week! Even though work has gotten me really drained these days, I still post my nails, outfits, random tarot spreads, and just whatever I find cute or whatnot. I'm still getting the hang of taking pictures, so I apologize that they don't look as interesting and charming as many others though, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0019002011250718793_zps9fea1f7a.gif" /><br />
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Hopefully I'll see you <a href="https://www.instagram.com/himebianka/" target="_blank">over there</a>! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_inline_mg16zmVJx61qdlkyg_zps3b0fde2b.gif" />Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-17736463336014752082016-05-27T20:00:00.000-05:002016-05-27T20:00:52.382-05:00The Final Wrap UpHello!<br />
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I'm sorry it's been a few weeks. Between me being completely unsure as to how to finish everything up, then learning that I have to pack up to move in June, THEN nearly immediately losing power for a little over week and having to stay with my mom in the city (which added an hour of driving each day), I just haven't had the time. But finally, power is back, most of my packing is done, and I can sit down and finish things up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This has been my life for the past month.</td></tr>
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Over the past couple of months, I've been keeping up with my new regimen, which includes double cleansing, a few essences and serums, and even a sunscreen. It's not something I ever thought I would ever do. I figured all that stuff would be too time consuming or expensive, and that in the end, it probably wouldn't even make a difference. Of course, I was pretty wrong about all three.<br />
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I've tried 15 new products, not including samples. Some were really good and will be staples for as long as they can be. Some were only okay and will probably not be purchased again. I learned a lot, and picked up a few of my own techniques. I even learned that I'll have to cut quite a bit of dairy out of my diet after a terrible one week breakout happened from eating a whole quart of Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream (not all of it, fortunately!) This little experiment was a helpful experience, and I'm happy to continue learning.<br />
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So, here are the results!<br />
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Unfortunately, I can tell you my camera didn't capture *at all* how truly bad my skin was. I had a lot of acne scars and a lot of cysts at the time of the first photo. The last one is the most recent. If my skin looks smoother, that's because it is! I hope you can see what a difference it is, because I sure can. At work, in the women's bathroom, the lights have a pink hue to them. As a result, all of the acne scars I had would be super magnified in the lighting. Even in there, my marks are fading, and my skin is a lot brighter. I may have to do something a bit more intensive, but for now, the Red Appletox is doing its job fine (and it smells so delicious!).<br />
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My skin has definitely become more hydrated, and a lot of scarring has finally lifted away. Currently, my next goal is to find a serum to combat my acne. I'm not getting as many pimples on the average day, but I do get bad hormonal breakouts, and I'd like to find something that can keep them from springing up, if possible. I guess I'll let you know how that works out, but I probably won't be able to try anything until I'm moved to the new place next month.<br />
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I actually didn't have any products that I hated. Though a couple disappointed me, besides that one sample, nothing reacted poorly to my skin. I will definitely continue using the Mizon Water Volume EX First Essence and the Black Snail All In One Cream, as well as the Tonymoly Red Appletox Honey Cream, as I saw the most favorable results with those. I don't think I will be purchasing anymore of Missha's Geum Sul Night Cream. The smell is a bit much, and I didn't see much happening. I'll also probably stop using the Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Cream once I run out. The Appletox seems to fill that position and can be used more often, so I'll start looking into a BHA instead. The Geum Sul Essence Booster is really nice, but I would only repurchase if it's on sale. However, even though I'm using 3 pumps a day, I still have a lot of product left. And I think I may replace Mizon's Steblanc Black Snail Ampoule with the Neulii Snail Bee serum, since my skin showed more improvement with it. Otherwise, everything else will continue to be used until I find something else I try and like more.<br />
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And... that's about it. Like I said, all I really do is work and stay home (I'm an introvert who handles around 300 people a day and has a weakness to loud sounds and heat, so I'm often pretty drained). I still don't feel confident enough to start working on makeup skills with my skin still in healing, and I rarely wear anything that's not my uniform anymore. I would love to say that I'm coming back for good this time, but as of right now, I don't think so, especially since I'm going to be moving in the near future. My grandma unfortunately passed away last year (don't worry, I'm fine now), and my mom inherited her other house. I've been living with my uncle who inherited the main house, but I'm taking the other one, now that everything is switched over officially. I have a little bit of work ahead of me, such as saving up for things for the new house. I'll have *a lot* more space to work with, far more than I've ever had in my life. I need everything!<br />
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Thank you all for your patience, and I hope to come back in the nearer, rather than distant future.<br />
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<br />Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-80241764757485646802016-04-12T19:00:00.000-05:002016-04-12T19:00:17.148-05:00Final Week: Apples Are My Favorite!Hello~!<br />
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I apologize that it's a day late. I forgot to hit publish so the schedule would actually go through.<br />
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Anyway, this is the last week of my new products! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2f49df18bb1a6bedca0d5f08f5283d27bedbc362.gif" /> But it's not the last week of my challenge. I'll continue to use my products, while trying new ones along the way. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/88dd489b278f89dd7e7afac9437c8d4a2eaec334.gif" /><br />
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I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started this. I had a bunch of wrinkle lines on my face brought on by so much dehydration (fun fact, no matter how much water you drink, your skin is always the last to know!), and so many bumps and scars on my face that had been there for many months. I wanted to practice wearing makeup and master some skills, but I never wanted to aggravate my already upset skin. I didn't really like the idea of caking on product until it covered everything either. I had pretty low confidence with my face, and all I wanted was to figure out how to fix it. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/f4987e2d110868620d6091d18bbda65302b53226.gif" /><br />
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If you would like to try the Korean skincare challenge, it's not really hard, and is actually pretty fun! My morning regimen before took about 10 minutes, which included brushing my teeth, washing my face, and putting on lotion. It now takes around 15 minutes, and because I do it so early, I get to sit around and relax for a bit, rather than rushing around trying to get everything done like I used to. The night routine takes about as long without the AHA. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4b79170ca21b60e42f5ad9bcc55623fb.gif" /><br />
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Today, my skin is so much better, though I know I probably have a good couple of months left before my skin is completely healed, but a lot of the scarring I had around my nose from picking at my face has gone. My nose still has some healing, and I have some scars under my jaw, but I'm at a far better position. If I wanted to, with a bit of concealer, I could probably start wearing makeup again! But I think I'll wait until my skin is better. I don't want to have to rely on concealer. If I keep it up and find more things that work, I think I skin should be pretty healed by June! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/64c8501987fc2854a36a2181f9e24b10057b58cc.gif" /><br />
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So, this week was Tonymoly's Red Appletox Honey Cream. It's not really a cream, but a gel. Right now, this is my favorite product. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/t00200020_0020002010168748440.gif" /><br />
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First, it smells like a fresh apple. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/1428b5aba1139c77d93af1f8c5f03e4537b0c601.gif" /> Seriously, like someone put an apple in a blender, then gave it to me and told me to put it on my face. Unfortunately, the smell goes away fairly quickly. Is this what the hand cream smells like? It smells so yummy! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010782622958.gif" /><br />
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Apparently this cream contains an AHA in the form of malic acid from the apple inside. One of the reasons I was eager to try it was because of the apple. Years ago I tried a homemade mask by Bubzbeauty that included apple cider vinegar, and I remember how that helped lighten a bunch of acne scars back then, so I felt my skin would respond well to it. And yes, this product does the same thing, but without that terrible vinegar smell, lol. Within a couple days, my stubborn marks faded significantly. My skin seems a lot brighter, and redness went down. And this product is only $13?? Goes to show that you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to find something that works.<br />
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I decided to move the Appletox to mornings. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/32688.gif" /> Both creams work well regardless, but I feel like the All in One cream benefits from being a repairing cream rather than just a moisturizer. The Appletox was able to lighten my scars even during the day, and moisturizes well even when it's cold, so I think day is best. It is fairly sticky at first, so it's best to put it on some time before going out anywhere (when I put on my Sun Milk, it takes away any stickiness right away). I still have a bunch of samples, but I ended up buying a full version of the cream by Friday, lol.<br />
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I also tried the soaps that came with my samples, Tonymoly's Nutra Energy Foam Cleanser and Dr. Tony AC Control Acne Cleansing Foam. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_mf2lruo3w11qid2nw_zps4e5d72f5.gif" /> I'll put them together on account of they work pretty much the same way. Have you ever used a Dove soap bar? I can't remember which one (I think it was the AC Control one), but I remember one smelling exactly like they melted one down and put it in a container. It also looked and felt like it too. Anyway, cleaning-wise, they did well. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/40a9b91e99c16ab7b85c74ea40e8197be29abe35.gif" /> I don't know if there were multiple uses in each sample, because it felt like there was a lot. When I applied them at first, they were very smooth, even though I had added water, and very little foaming happened. Then as I added water to my face to start rinsing it away, more bubbles started to form. Maybe it's another case of "a little goes a long way". They were actually nice, though I don't know if either of them did anything special to my skin. I wouldn't mind purchasing them in the future, especially since they're more pH balanced. But right now, I still have a huge container full of Dr. Bronners, lol.<br />
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The only thing I had left to talk about were my mists, but there isn't much to say, since you're really supposed to use them when you need them, and I haven't really yet. I have tried them, however. Neither of them caused a breakout, and I guess they're doing their job. I don't have much experience with mists, so I wouldn't be able to share much. The Tosowoong Tea Tree mist does cool my face a bit. Has a bit of a funky scent, but it does what I need it to do. Mizon's Twilight Essence Mist is a strange one. I mean, it works as a quick hydration spray (though I haven't needed it much, so I can't say how much of a difference it's making), but the product itself is like jelly! It sprays like a liquid, but it's strange to see it inside of the bottle. I keep them in my purse for when I need them.<br />
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So tomorrow is my wrap up. I'm glad I ended up on a good note, because it allowed me more time to see what I would like to keep in my regimen and what I wouldn't mind giving up. I can only hope the photos I took will accurately show how much has changed, because I can certainly see it! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010323975925.gif" /><br />
<br />Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-83510246785574843362016-04-04T19:00:00.000-05:002016-04-04T19:00:24.950-05:00Week 5: A Little DisappointmentHello~! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d370459a9c47379b5d6da6dff8a652f61361a74e.gif" /><br />
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It's been a month since I started my Korean skincare challenge. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/t00200020_0020002010200432670.gif" /> The goal was to see not only if I could keep it up, but if it could do something good for my skin, which had fallen quite a bit to the wayside. I've been taking pictures of my skin every so often (because of course it's not enough to tell you that it's working, it's important to see for yourself!), and I'll do one final mini-review of everything I've used during this challenge. This series is almost over.... It's kind of sad! I have no idea what to do! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/6017ca775c8111cfc04bc8d2be723c250a4f09d0.gif" /><br />
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So this week, I tried out Missha's MISA Geum Sul Night Cream. And I have no idea what it's doing. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/51f2bc9e577d76d4bd4c11fe3eaa33e5a8f5eea3.gif" /><br />
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When I tested it on my neck, I remember the next day how a tenacious bump that had resisted every other product had reduced quite some bit. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4ba37dc19c6c83d0cfea062a8ac7166be5dffb20.gif" /> I decided to try it on my face a couple days later, but I couldn't tell if anything else was happening.... I guess this might be one of those long-term type of things, the kind of stuff meant to help you in the long run and not give you immediate results. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/536023.gif" /> That's fine and all, but I have a lot of problems right now to work on. It's probably only a sometimes product.<br />
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This cream is heavily perfumed, moreso than the essence booster, and lasts far longer, so if you're sensitive to scents, you'll have to avoid this. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2f34f70bc61f18399920e784bc0b9bad.gif" /> It has sort of a woodsy scent to it, and it can get pretty annoying over time, but it gets more bearable about 10 minutes later, so give yourself some time after application before trying to go to sleep. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/image3981084.gif" /> The product comes with a spatula to scoop out the cream with, and much like Mizon's Black Snail All In One cream, a little goes a long way. My skin feels pretty soft (not as much as with the Black Snail cream), but the cream a more stiff, so it feels a bit uncomfortable. It's not bad enough that I would stop using it, but like I said, I have no idea if it's doing anything as of right now. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4da5683750a21fbfa5d4966c101357c0.gif" /> I like the essence booster far more. Still, it was on sale for $20, so this could make a nice pampering cream to use every few days or so.<br />
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I also tried out Missha's All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk (goodness, all those words....). It feels weird.... <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/1d90800085002dce326e9e61d55bf24da9b96656.gif" /> I know, it's just the silica powder in it to smooth out skin, but I'm not used to my skin feeling that way, lol. It's meant as a base for makeup, so it goes on smoothly.... but as I am right now, it can't be used for that either, because it accentuates any flaky patches! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/cbe716f9e7d180b746fbb4521375bac120f13d92.gif" /><br />
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I still have a lot of damaged skin to shed off, so I still have the occasional peeling skin around my nose and jawline. All of my other products have made it so that they're not as prevalent, but this product seems to get right under them and lift them up. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/911185662a2ccf1982c67339d1766b34.gif" /> I guess it's great if I wanted a product to show me where to exfoliate or something.... <br />
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Halfway through testing, I found out that you're supposed to shake it before using. Sure enough, there's a little ball bearing in it to mix it up that I never noticed because it had been stuck at the bottom. When I first tried this product, my face would feel really grimy after a shift, but once I started mixing it up, that didn't happen. It was a fairly good product. It would probably be better if it didn't show off any flakes on my face. I wonder if I can use a cream over it? <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2178692.gif" /><br />
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This Week's Product Lineup<br />
Day: Cleanser, Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner, Mizon Water Volume Ex First Essence, Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Essence, Mizon Black Snail All in One Cream, Missha All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk<br />
Night: Tonymoly Clean Dew Apple Mint Cleansing Oil, Cleanser, Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner, Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum (every other day), Missha MISA Geum Sul First Essence Booster, Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Essence, Mizon Steblanc Black Snail Repair Ampoule, Missha MISA Geum Sul Night Cream (sometimes)<br />
Test: Tonymoly Red Appletox Honey Cream, my face wash samples<br />
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I've decided to try it for both day and night--not twice a day, but try it for a while during the day and then try it for a while at night. Depending on where it feels best, I will either use it during the day and switch my All in One back to night, or use the Appletox at night. It's supposed to have brightening qualities, which is something I need to lighten up the stubborn acne scars still lingering around. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/fb6dbf916c3229e1df771bf33592e4f731e19f45.gif" /> I have 20 samples, and if it does well, I'll be glad to buy a full one. I'm also eager to try out the Tonymoly foam cleansers that came with it. I've only been using my Dr. Bronner's castile soap for the past few years, but maybe there's a better cleanser. <br />
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Next week is my last one of these! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/cbba3260fb3d118acad0f000b5238712.gif" />Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-24242064634767819022016-03-28T19:00:00.000-05:002016-04-02T17:19:54.814-05:00Week 4: Developing Those "Pro" TechniquesHello~!! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/23c205917e06d870767643b2c928e524.gif" /><br />
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So something pretty cool happened this week. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/217368.gif" /><br />
Last Saturday was the start of my monthly hormonal breakout. That morning, my skin was covered in huge bumps that I couldn't do anything about. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/cbba3260fb3d118acad0f000b5238712.gif" /> I figured it was just something I would have to just accept as what would always happen, and just have to wait it out, dealing with the aftermath. I continued my regimen and figured I would have to skip my trials for the week. After all, if it wasn't working or was harming my skin, how would I even know the difference? <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c40c0855839f717b6e9a19da20eb68881113ce25.gif" /><br />
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But in just a couple days, most of those bumps were gone! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/8d7073858c0a9684a3e73edaa65aeff95e422456.gif" /> They had either disappeared entirely or shrunk down significantly. Was it the snail? Was it the honey? Combo of both? Usually, my acne lasts for at least a week. I'm sure I'll always have to deal with hormonal acne popping up every month, but it's great that my products help prevent it from being a bigger problem than usual. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/10146310291_s.gif" /><br />
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This week was a low motivation week. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/image8964736.gif" /> I started this entire challenge right after my period, so my estrogen was high. That means I was far more energetic and more eager to make things happen. But around this time, estrogen plummets, and therefore, so does motivation. There were a couple days when all I wanted to do was lie in bed and not deal with anything, including a regimen. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/98d237ef5305bfcd71bf311972edfc728a0380c8.gif" /> It didn't help that we had inspection at work and I had to spend the month running around to make things run smoothly until it was over. There were times when I just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry (and I'm the most thankful for my friend Mat cheering me up on those days!). Still, I pressed on, and it's good that I did. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/31024afa1f0ae421712bab1db92c4117f064d118.gif" /><br />
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So though it was a couple days delayed, I tested out Mizon's Black Snail All in One Cream. I was a bit worried that it would be too thick for my skin, and therefore cause an influx of oil, but yet again, I got to be pleasantly surprised. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4d8f8bea282f7376da9d395466b7d086630572f1.gif" /><br />
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This cream is *smooth*, and a little goes a long way. It spreads super well and absorbs so pleasantly, leaving my skin extra plush. <img a="" all="" amounts="" ampoule.="" and="" are="" areas="" around="" as="" be="" became="" best="" black="" booster="" border="0" bumps="" but="" calms="" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/414a46be6e9861f13eec1355f62a4b474371bab7.gif" decided="" definitely="" difference="" do="" doing="" down="" dry="" effect="" electronic="" essence="" everyone="" extra="" face="" fairly="" faster.="" feel="" friends="" general.="" get="" geum="" glad="" go="" going="" had="" have="" he="" heal="" hydration="" i="" in="" is="" it="" its="" just="" keep="" last="" lasted.="" like="" lineup.="" little="" ll="" lol.="" long="" longer="" lot="" m="" making="" matter="" may="" moisture="" more="" multiplied.="" my="" n="" nbsp="" need="" no="" of="" on="" one="" only="" other="" own="" p="" paired="" pimple="" plan="" problem="" products="" s="" scars="" see="" since="" skin="" snail="" so="" soft="" soonest="" steblanc="" still="" sul="" sure="" tend="" tended="" than="" that="" the="" things="" think="" this="" those="" time.="" to="" try="" use="" want="" was="" what="" when="" wish="" with="" y="" /> Currently it's in my night time regimen, but it may get moved to day if the Geum Sul night cream is good instead.<br />
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I then got to try out Skinfood's Royal Honey Propolis Serum. I didn't really test this for long, since I knew the toner worked well, so I pretty much tested it for a day then used it. I guess I'm running out of ways to say that it hydrates my skin, lol. It's a little sticky at first, but it does go away over time (the stickiness lasts longer if paired with my Black Snail ampoule though). I even use it on my lips! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/260843.gif" /> Yes, there's a slight honey taste to it. Yes, even my lips feel deeply hydrated. No, it won't replace any lip balm, and no, you can't use it as an impromptu sweetener for your tea, lol. On its own, it's pretty nice, but the benefits are even more enhanced with my Water Volume EX first essence. However, upon use of this serum, my usual cream became... useless.... <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/80173c0e486d5bae15faadfc425dace28f8d9aa9.gif" /><br />
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My skin started to feel grimy after using my cream, and if I rubbed my face even a little, it would just pill off. It's never done this before, and it's not expired or dried out.... I think my skin is so hydrated now that the cream has no way to absorb into my skin and just sits on the surface instead. This doesn't happen if I don't put on any lotion or if I use the All in One cream over it (I also use the serum at night now), and it only started happening after this product. But I like what it's doing for my skin.... Looks like I'll be bumping up testing my All Around sun milk. After all, I need sunscreen. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/57e3bd6637dba8546eba47847e3c65738d2a185f.gif" /><br />
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So it's been 4 weeks of using my products, and while there's a lot I still need to learn, I've learned a lot for myself, and have even developed some "techniques", lol. I used to apply my toner items with a cotton pad, but I noticed that so much of the product was absorbed into the cotton and wasn't getting onto my face. So I started applying everything with my hands only, using the cotton pads afterward to pick up any residue left on my skin. I feel like it works better for my skin, and I'm using far less product than before. It's too bad I bought so many cotton pads because they were on sale, lol.<br />
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This Week's Product Lineup<br />
Day: Cleanser, Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner, Mizon Water Volume Ex First Essence, Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Essence, Lotion<br />
Night: Tonymoly Clean Dew Apple Mint Cleansing Oil, Cleanser, Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner, Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum (every other day), Missha MISA Geum Sul First Essence Booster, Mizon Steblanc Black Snail Repair Ampoule, Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Essence, Mizon Black Snail All in One Cream<br />
Test: Missha All Around Safe Block Soft Touch Sun Milk (day), Missha MISA Geum Sul Night Cream (night)<br />
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My samples of Tonymoly's Red Appletox Honey cream came in on Saturday, and they came with a few extra samples of Tonymoly things, including two foam cleansers to try! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_mf2lqpHBJ11qid2nw_zpsbd6b0804.gif" /> I bought the samples because I was looking for an everyday lotion to help with skin brightening, but that was before I found out the All in One was so wonderful on my face.... I'll have to figure that out!Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-61878014511808072742016-03-21T19:00:00.000-05:002016-04-02T17:19:10.046-05:00Week 3: My First Product Miss!Hello~! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a2ea38dca25c151d06a4490d09b55389ffac77d0.gif" /><br />
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Week three has finished, and my skin seems to improve every day! I'm probably blowing through testing my products a little quickly.... My original goal was to test one product over a week, but it ended up being around 3 days each, lol. Pretty much everything I've purchased and tried so far has been giving me great results. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d5c4d9c5c56c14beb9a4071b7d1978be42171a4d.gif" /> It could just be that my skin is happy I'm paying attention to it, but whatever the case is, it's a lot happier. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/38154d49a4764754b67175ffdb8747bdc5c855c6.gif" /><br />
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But, I can say that I've come across my first complete miss. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010657903796.gif" /><br />
<a name='more'></a>With my Royal Honey Propolis essence that arrived this week, I received a sample of Innisfree's Eco Science Recover Spot Essence. It's a great example of why I should pay attention to what's normal for my skin. I looked for some reviews for this product, but only found the other product in the series, the wrinkle care one. So, I just decided to try it that very day, since I figured I should get the sample out of the way. Immediately, my skin felt really greasy, which is usually never a good sign for me. But instead of washing it off like my instinct was to do, I told myself to let it sit overnight and see what happens. The next day, I had a bunch of these huge, painful pimples on my face. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/95953fce597de285f0b5244595b214bd481566be.gif" /> I checked out the ingredients on <a href="http://www.cosdna.com/" target="_blank">Cosdna</a>, but if any of them are an irritant, it's not marked yet. Whatever it was, my skin didn't enjoy it.... <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/b8af516f97fd35c445beb6ff884e12a7c03f082b.gif" /> Fortunately, it was just a sample and not something I purchased. I went back to my usual regimen the next day, and many of the pimples came to a head. Unfortunately, it's going to set me back a few days while my skin heals from the breakout, but at least it's manageable. I'll keep this product in mind, however, so I can compare the ingredients if something else causes a breakout in the future. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/6584038860ac77d5a86d1ae57f0f9ed076d09300.gif" nbsp="" p="" /><br />
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I started the week testing out Mizon's Steblanc Black Snail Repair Ampoule, which I thought would work well since the Neulii Snail Bee serum worked so nicely. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/011184ced6ae0b36e8a2ce3f574e662d.gif" /> I think it just continued where that serum left off, as the lines I had around my mouth (my own personal parenthesis) started to fade significantly. While I think those lines were brought on greatly due to my dehydration problems, after two days of putting it on my face, the lines got far fainter. It seems to play well with my Geum Sul Essence Booster, as I tried it one morning instead of just during the evening, and didn't notice nearly as much of a difference. There's no scent, and because it has snail, it is a fair bit sticky for a little while. It's not something I mind, but something to consider if you don't like that sensation. I have no idea why this was at such a huge discount, but I won't complain spending only $14 for it! I don't really like the applicator, however. I don't know if mine is just broken, but it never seems to fill up very well. Still, the bottle is gorgeous and elegant. I'll keep using it to see how well it does. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/508851.gif" /><br />
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I then started using my Mizon Water Volume EX First Essence around Thursday. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/119.gif" /> I really like this product! Upon first usage, my skin had this deep hydrated feel. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/7bbfe54be559bf01809ddd7279b253746eee57c9.gif" /> It was like the surface was more firm, but the layers below were super soft. It's hard to explain.... Whatever it was, I really liked it. It also has a light citrus-y scent to it, like maybe grapefruit. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/fruits_orange.gif" /> It goes away super quickly, but I wouldn't mind it sticking around, as it smells pretty refreshing. My Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis essence finally arrived, so I'll get to see how well it does in helping other products absorb better. Still, it's doing a lovely job on its own. I approve! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4ba37dc19c6c83d0cfea062a8ac7166be5dffb20.gif" /><br />
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Nowadays, I've been doing my evening regimen once I get home. I always end up taking a nap when I get home, since I now work at 5a (which means I'm up at 3:30a). I figured that if I'm going to be sleeping, I should at least take care of my face. It doesn't seem to be affecting anything in a negative way (products being less effective, wearing off before the next day, so on), so it may be something I do from now on. Often times, I get impatient waiting for that window of time I gave myself to take care of my face, so it's nice to just do it after I wind down anyway. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3c67ba35de149e869f6fc9afdef3edbc81f3e6c8.gif" /><br />
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This Week's Product Lineup<br />
Day: Cleanser, Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner, Mizon Water Volume EX First Essence, Lotion<br />
Night: Tonytoly Clean Dew Apple Mint Cleansing Oil, Cleanser, Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner, Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum (every other day), Missha MISA Geum Sul First Essence Booster, Mizon Steblanc Black Snail Repair Ampoule<br />
Test: Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Essence (day), Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream (night)<br />
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It's about time I round out my morning routine!Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-5665506089093695882016-03-14T20:00:00.000-05:002016-04-02T17:18:51.703-05:00Week 2: The Geum Sul Love AffairHello~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010849740790.gif" /><br />
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Before I started this challenge, I worried I would have no motivation. I've been super tired and stressed from work, and I figured I would want to just get home and not worry about some daily task. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d9cad9a47ec8ea2e6761220580f19ea9.gif" /> I had to make some specific conditions in order to make sure I did it everyday.<br />
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Waking up early wasn't a problem, since I get up at least an hour and a half before I have to be at work. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_lu3lp9hZOM1qcfn0j.gif" /> The problem is I tend to want to lounge for that extra time. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010287792037.gif" /> I felt that if I got ready early, it would send a signal to my brain telling me to get into work mode, and I just didn't want to have to deal with that so soon, lol. But if I waited too late, I knew I would just rush through everything, and probably skip the regimen to save time. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/55496_zpsfa7f9fb6.gif" /> As for the evening, I knew if I started my regimen too late, I would be too tired to do anything and it would become a chore. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/546603cb3bb19ebe75a83cd66d61f0e10bb049b4.gif" /> So I had to make a plan. I told myself that I would allow for 10-15 minutes of lounging time in the morning, and then I would have to get up and do it. As for nighttime, I told myself that I could start sometime between 7:30p and 8:30p, so when I got sleepy, it would already be out of the way. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c735beb4999917773e03015b0a876b13.gif" /> It actually worked! Now I'm pretty happy to do it, and I even think about it when I'm at work, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/fb9d79c68d32826bdf9ed63787aeb2a52d217010.gif" /><br />
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Last week, I started Missha's Misa Geum Sul Essence Booster, and oh goodness, I feel like royalty~<br />
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I think the idea behind it is to help more mature skin, <span style="font-size: xx-small;">like my own now that I'm 30. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/cbe716f9e7d180b746fbb4521375bac120f13d92.gif" /></span> It's got a lot of anti-wrinkle ingredients. It was my most expensive purchase at $33 even while on sale, but I adored it the second it touched my skin. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/309363.gif" /><br />
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It has a pretty strong perfume scent, so if you're sensitive to that, you'd unfortunately have to avoid this. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002012155128103_zps8e5853aa.gif" /> The scent even lingers for a while as well. Still, it's a lovely scent, like a sweet musk. The listing for this on RoseRoseShop calls this an essence, but it's actually a "first essence"--a product that is supposed to boost other products' effects, and meant to go on before toning. It kind of changed my plan a bit, since I was hoping for an essence to work on my skin in the evening, lol. I put it on after my Mizon toner and AHA, since I worry that the AHA will strip away the benefits of the Geum Sul booster before it reaches anything. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4ba37dc19c6c83d0cfea062a8ac7166be5dffb20.gif" /><br />
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Anyway, day one of testing, and my skin felt like the softest velvet. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/777216b60cc6e10cd10343f4b953f8e0c7db41cc.gif" /><br />
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It was super moisturized and soft, and the effect lasted well into the next day. You know how skin feels when you just step out of the shower? That's how it felt. On day 5, I started putting it on my face. There were no breakouts, and it feels like my hydrating toner (the Skinfood one) actually absorbed better. I'll be introducing the Mizon Steblanc ampoule this week, so I hope it'll help in boosting its effect.<br />
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Last week was also when I tested Neulii's Snail Bee Anti-Wrinkle Serum, and I must admit, I was pretty impressed! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002011022162858.gif" /> I noticed my skin getting smoother that very day of using this product. I usually test my products on my neck and under my jaw, but for these samples, I just put them on my face, since I didn't want to waste the product only putting it on my neck. So with that said, it was completely unaffected by my use of the Geum Sul, and can say this was only due to this serum. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/052ed492086fc521969fcfc2625b600a9d895b9f.gif" /> My acne scars seemed to lighten faster, and my skin seemed brighter and more even. I can see the hype for snail now! Again, I'll have to see what changes now that I'm out and see if I want to purchase a full size. Anti-wrinkle isn't a current goal while I have so many other problems to deal with on my skin, but if it really helped this much on everything else, it may be worth it to have around. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/217368.gif" /><br />
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Neulii officially released today, I believe! I wish them a lot of luck! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2c45a1862b9b47251a443e1525d2055b0a134d1e.gif" /><br />
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Overall, my skin has been improving greatly in the past couple of weeks. I'm also prone to sebaceous filaments on and around my nose, but they seem to come out easier and have gotten smaller, leaving a lot of my pores able to return to their normal size. I know I'll never fully get rid of them (just part of the oily skin package, unfortunately), but they're a lot less noticeable now. I haven't been getting as many pimples as I usually do these days. I still have a lot of scars that have to finish healing, a lot of damaged skin to wash away, and a lot of marks to lighten, but my skin is far smoother and acne has reduced greatly. I certainly don't deal with obvious peeling skin every day like before, which means I don't have to scrub my face every morning to get rid of it. Excess oil has *greatly* reduced, even after a whole day in the hot kitchen. Looks like my skin has been dehydrated for a long time. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4dcea85be00f61a4bd11b14e66bfabaa09e0f45a.gif" nbsp="" p="" /><br />
All in all, my challenge is going well, and I'm having a lot of fun doing it. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/f31a1418d925265039a69b6f56814d8d.gif" /><br />
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This Week's Product Lineup<br />
Day: Cleanser, Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner, Lotion<br />
Night: Tonymoly Clean Dew Apple Mint Cleansing Oil, Cleanser, Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner, Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum (reduced to once every other day), Missha MISA Geum Sul First Essence Booster, Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner<br />
Test: Mizon Water Volume Ex First Essence (day), Mizon Steblanc Black Snail Repair Ampoule (night)<br />
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I'm running out of my day cream, so I'll get to try my Missha Sun Milk soon. It's got high SPF and is supposed to smooth out pores. I just purchased some samples of Tonymoly's Red Appletox Honey cream samples to pair with it, since I have no idea how hydrating the sun milk is. I read a bunch of good reviews on it, so I'm pretty excited. I also ordered Mizon's Twilight Essence mist, since I discovered that the Tosowoong tea tree mist I got is more cooling and therefore better during the summer, rather than hydrating like I wanted. I swear I'm not a Mizon fangirl or anything (I could be soon though!), their products just happen to catch my eye all the time.Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-36360793537829041372016-03-08T19:14:00.000-06:002016-04-02T17:18:11.649-05:00Week 1: The HaulHello all~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2170941.gif" /><br />
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As I promised, I returned this week! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/f31a1418d925265039a69b6f56814d8d.gif" /> I've been working on this post bit by bit over the week as I added new information, but somehow, I ended up deleting the entire entry! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/8ea5a3af5d35a23ac89985f56b09f3068b5107ad.gif" /> I don't know how "undo this one thing I just did" equals "erase everything that you've done over the last couple of days".<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/1154577.gif" /> From now on, I'm doing my entries on a document page and copy/pasting it over. I'm so sad! I'm glad it happened early in the day rather than right before the post was scheduled!<br />
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Anyway, I've been super diligent in doing my regimen twice daily, and I've noticed a huge improvement in the past couple of days. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d5c4d9c5c56c14beb9a4071b7d1978be42171a4d.gif" /> My acne has greatly reduced, and a lot of my cysts have either come to a head for extraction or just gone away. My skin doesn't get super oily like it usually does by the end of the day, and a lot of current scars came off. By day two, a whole bunch of gunk came out of my pores! Much of it looked like it had been in them for a long time. Once I got it all cleared out, it never happened again. I still have a few pimples come up, but they are smaller than usual, and I still have a few the cysts I've been battling on my jawline for the past few months, but they're coming up a little more every day. There's a lot of work to be done, but I'm finally headed to healthier skin! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2424d5d4f6e24ca045a9f945a3ed40db545dfbf8.gif" /><br />
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So let me show you all the things I got to try! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/dfeed8e7074f6d993a93fe04ba3893ba2100f678_zpsa8b8d2b5.gif" /><br />
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- Tonymoly Clean Dew Apple Mint Cleansing Oil<br />
- Tosowoong Tea Tree Natural Pure Mist<br />
- Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner<br />
- Missha All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk<br />
- Missha MISA Geum Sul (Gold Snow) Essence Booster<br />
- Missha MISA Geum Sul Sleeping Cream<br />
- Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner<br />
- Mizon Water Volume EX First Essence<br />
- Mizon Steblanc Black Snail Repair Ampoule<br />
- Mizon Black Snail All In One Cream<br />
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I ordered all of those from RoseRoseShop. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3152410.gif" /> I had a lovely experience with them, and because my order was over $100, I got 10 samples of their new product Neulii (a play on 'new leaf'?). I received their Teatree BHA serum, which I just finished yesterday, and their Snail Bee Anti Wrinkle serum, which I'll be starting this week. I'll do my mini review of it below. And yes, a lot of my stuff is Mizon. As of this entry, they are running a free shipping deal on Mizon products, as well as having a huge sale on their items. My Steblanc ampoule was 80% off! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a3b38246ce1d4585559959de47f502dbf3dcce1d.gif" /><br />
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Many of the things I purchased were at a huge discount, and everything was packaged wonderfully. I'll be glad to order from RoseRoseShop again. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d60f0b989886b2b737be92322374262e9ecd521b.gif" /> They're also known as RubyRuby76/RubyRubyShop on Ebay.<br />
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I also have one more item coming, the Skinfood Royal Honey Propolis Essence. I wanted to purchase it with my order, but they sold out a few days before I could get to it. A lot of the things I got are geared towards hydration and repairing, since my skin is so dehydrated and damaged. I hope they work!<br />
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Anyway, the toners I got performed their jobs super well. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/image9629364.gif" /> I've owned Mizon's AHA 8% Peeling serum for a couple weeks prior to this haul, and had a positive effect, but it wasn't doing as well as it could. Since the soap I use is so alkaline, I either had to wait some 20 minutes after washing my face for it to work, or not wash my face at all. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010740033986.gif" /> Neither were good choices, so I got its matching toner. The difference was noticeable the next day. My skin was brighter, I didn't have any flaking, and a bunch of scars lifted off. As for the Skinfood toner, it's a fairly hydrating toner. Since my only lotion has SPF I don't need on my skin as I sleep, I didn't want to use it. I ended up using the Skinfood toner as a makeshift lotion, which actually worked. Don't know if I would go out and spend an entire day only using the toner for hydration, but for overnight, my skin was fine with that. There was no extra oil in the morning, and my skin didn't feel tight or dry. I'll eventually start using my sleeping cream (and hopefully it won't react poorly to my skin), but in the meantime, this regimen is working out. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m2mn8tNym01qb1380.gif" /><br />
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The Tonymoly cleansing oil testing was a success! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/image3436031.gif" /><br />
I was actually using it wrong the first two times I tried it. I know someone must be saying, how can you use a cleansing oil wrong? The first time I applied it, I just kept rubbing for a minute, and it started gaining a waxy feel. I got worried, so I damped my fingers and tried to rub it off. It didn't budge. Turned out I wasn't using enough water to try to emulsify it. One review mentioned that it turned white when it was emulsifying, but at the time, nothing was happening. I ended up just washing it off straight away with soap. I tried again the second time, not rubbing for as long beforehand, and still, nothing happened, so I covered my hands in water like I was washing them, and tried again. My skin felt so clean and soft! I ended up putting it into the rotation on day four. I know it must be cleaning everything, because the soap I use afterward foams up so nicely on my face. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_mf2lruo3w11qid2nw_zps4e5d72f5.gif" /> The only thing I don't like is the smell. It starts off with this apple scent, but has this bitter scent afterward. However, the smell doesn't linger at all, so it's not even close to something that deters me from using it. There's no poor reaction at all, just a clean face. I'll definitely purchase more! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/t00200020_0020002010168748440.gif" /><br />
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As for the Neulii Teatree BHA Serum... eh. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/546603cb3bb19ebe75a83cd66d61f0e10bb049b4.gif" /> I didn't really notice anything change on my face using it. No significant reduction of acne or really anything. It smelled really nice though, like a sweet herb, and spreads on the face easily. It has a thin consistency that doesn't drip, and it absorbs super well. It's meant to go on before toning, like a first essence, but because my soap is so alkaline, any BHA it may have is cancelled out immediately, so I had to use my Mizon toner before it to get the best out of it. Still, I didn't see much of a difference for anything, and I'll know for sure by seeing what changes now that I'm out. I'll be trying the Snail Bee one this week. From the ingredients on the <a href="http://www.neulii.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, the "bee" part is actually propolis, not bee venom like I was thinking, so even though I'm not the most concerned with wrinkle care at this moment when I have all these other problems with my skin, I think this could still be good for my skin. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a1cc0947c1dfc9504360757a413d06f63c94cf21.gif" /><br />
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All in all, it was a very productive week. I was worried I would lose motivation quickly, but I ended up looking forward to it when I got home.<br />
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This Week's Product Lineup<br />
Day: Cleanser, Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner, Lotion<br />
Night: Tonymoly Clean Dew Apple Mint Cleansing Oil, Cleanser, Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner, Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum, Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner<br />
Test: Neulii Snail Bee Anti Wrinkle Serum (day), Missha Misa Geum Sul First Essence Booster (night)<br />
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I'm super excited to try my Geum Sul. It looks so luxurious! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/47c21f5bc6860063303f206bb124f81fdba676c2.gif" />Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-63759001069687286622016-02-29T19:36:00.002-06:002016-02-29T19:36:41.260-06:00A Welcome Back with My Korean Skincare Challenge!Hello!! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2f49df18bb1a6bedca0d5f08f5283d27bedbc362.gif" /><br />
It's been quite some time, hasn't it? Quite some time.... I wish I could say a lot has happened in my life, but it's been all work and home.... <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/546603cb3bb19ebe75a83cd66d61f0e10bb049b4.gif" /> I pretty much only wore my uniform all of last year!<br />
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But that's not actually why I'm coming back.<br />
Yes, I still pursue my style, and in fact, my whole wardrobe is completely full of cute clothes now. I still like Hime-kei, but I'm probably moreso considered Retro-kei, as I tend to gravitate towards designs that follow a more vintage feel (and that's a big reason why I adore Larme magazines). <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_m42zyzL2Pr1qdlkyg_zps67b770ea.gif" /> However, I know I won't be wearing much of it this year either, so instead, I've come back for another reason.<br />
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These past few years, my skin has been so angry with me. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d47d1d15c063b0abef68f4ffbfc3bcc23d354f3d.gif" /> No matter what I use or do, my skin just keeps acting up. Partner that with my need to pick at my face all the time, especially when I'm stressed, and my skin just couldn't get better. I had wanted to learn how to do my makeup, but with all the skin problems, I knew it would just look bad. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2af937461c7ae9136091981fa9b76c6d59ad9171.gif" /> I certainly didn't want to aggravate it further, that's for sure. I had reached a point where my skin was suddenly flaking, and I had to exfoliate every morning. Cysts would come in and just stay there for months. The scars and marks kept accumulating. I didn't know what to do. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010693256951.gif" /><br />
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I don't know how I came across it, but I ended up on a page about the Korean skin care routine. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/9030183d92d0ea8485ec582be5d374fa424fd3bf.gif" /> It was really interesting, and I ended up doing a lot of research. Within days, I was planning out my own skin plan of action. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/ea24802510567e3a3e9a6721cb1b5ecbe8736fe6.gif" /><br />
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So, I'm coming back to my blog to document my own Korean skincare challenge!<br />
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Have you ever heard of the "typical" Korean skincare routine? They claim that it's anywhere from 7 to 12 products a day! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/3cf050ff1a6b1295f1ffa44fdf97ed99525f9bfd_zpsc7deba61.gif" /> But that's a bit of a misnomer, as some products aren't used everyday or at all times. In the end, it can boil down to a cleanser, a hydrating toner, essences and serums focusing on various skin concerns, some emulsion/lotion, and a cream if your skin is super dry. There are extras like spot treatments, masks, and night creams, but those are optional. The key is layering the products from thinnest to thickest on your skin. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3751642d6b180c4c307e81133429f9df1a6af822.gif" /><br />
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There's a whole culture behind it and a lot of things to consider, like whether certain ingredients are irritants or acne triggers, or whether one product's pH will counteract another, rendering it useless. I learned a lot of the basics, but there's clearly a lot more to learn. It's been two weeks since I started planning, and I'm just now getting into the ingredient stuff now! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c4a898527d7e3729426984d985ab95732e9f1073.gif" /><br />
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I have purchased an entire regimen to try, with a focus on hydration and skin repairing. I tried to check reviews for everything I got, so I hope they all work well. However, obviously doing everything at once would be a problem for two reasons; one being that I wouldn't know how effective anything is if I use everything, and the other being that I wouldn't know what item is causing problems if I break out or have a reaction.<br />
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In order to remedy this, I will try each item for around a week. I feel like that's a good amount of time to know if something is working or not. I will test the next product on my neck and under my jaw. The neck is good because I will be able to see any changes easily on my neck, and the jaw is good as I would be able to find out if a product would cause cystic acne through it. I tend to get cystic acne fairly quickly to my experience, so I think a week is good.<br />
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And just to know,<br />
Skin type: Combination oily/normal, especially on the chin, cheeks, nose, and right between the eyebrows<br />
Concerns: Acne (especially cystic), dehydrated skin, hyperpigmentation, acne scarring<br />
Goals: Prevent acne, get rid of acne scars and marks, hydrate skin, even out skin texture<br />
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I ordered 10 items from RoseRoseShop, as I had a good experience with them at their Ebay shop at rubyruby76. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/10e4047c2339238de126615010b6f10c3489f7d8.gif" /> With the Mizon items having a free shipping promotion, shipping through EMS was under $30, and my whole order came to around $185 with it. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/32df4f794149b5bd15dcf6ceb6897e8ec65126dc.gif" /> It took a few days to process as I caught them right after their New Year vacation, and it arrived a week later. When it arrived, everything was wrapped up nicely and safely. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010740033988.gif" /> It was super exciting unpacking everything one by one! I also got some samples of their new Neulii serum line! I got the Teatree BHA Blemish Control (Yes!!) and the Snail Bee Anti-Wrinkle Serum. They're meant to go on before toners, so I'll try them next. I figure I should get the samples out of the way anyway, or I'll never get to them. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_mf2lqpHBJ11qid2nw_zpsbd6b0804.gif" /><br />
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I have one last thing coming in from Amazon since RoseRoseShop sold out before I could purchase it. The reviews made it sound extra hydrating, and I can always use that. My goal for ideal skin is plump and bouncy, like freshly showered skin--"chok chok", as they say. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/536023.gif" /><br />
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I also got the book Korean Beauty Secrets by Kerry Thompson and Coco Park. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/b4655a00fc2d72a08161473ef139385d58d1142f.gif" /> Since I quickly realized there's a lot more to it than slathering stuff on your face until it's fixed, I wanted to have a physical item to always consult for information. It's pretty interesting, as it talks about some of the popular ingredients in Korean skincare items, what they do for skin, as well as going over skin concerns and what to look for in a product for whatever you're targeting. There's even a Korean to English dictionary on ingredients in the back. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/657543.gif" /> It's a pretty hefty book, but 2/3 of it is dedicated to various blogger regimens and popular Korean makeup styles (however, the bloggers do give you their own information and helpful tips). It has been pretty useful for me, especially the regimen help, and I hope I can get more into the "meat" of it in the near future, as I continue to work on perfecting a regimen.<br />
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I will be trying out one of my products at a time, with the exception of my toners, as I would like to get started with them. I'm currently using Mizon's AHA Peeling Serum, and I want to start using the AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner to get the best out of its effect. My cleanser is very alkaline, I've learned, which means if I use the AHA right afterward, it just cancels out. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4dcea85be00f61a4bd11b14e66bfabaa09e0f45a.gif" /> But if I wait for my skin to return to its natural pH, my skin just gets uncomfortable. It's actually pretty hydrating, which I didn't expect, but I don't think it's working to its full potential. I also want to start using the Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner, since during the day, I want to focus on moisturizing, not skin renewal. My skin has been very dehydrated these days, and I know my skin really loves honey, so I think it will go well. I can't imagine having a reaction to either, so I will start with the Neulii products in a few days while I test the cleansing oil I got. <br />
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However, nothing is set in stone, so I will probably test different orders and whatnot to figure out what works best. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4ba37dc19c6c83d0cfea062a8ac7166be5dffb20.gif" /><br />
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In a week, I hope to report any changes in my skin's condition, so I guess consider it a mini review of what I've used.<br />
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I know, I've been gone for a long time. I felt really embarrassed about my skin problems, and kept hoping that I could get it under control so I could get back to blogging, but I only succeeded in making it worse. I eventually realized it wasn't possible with what I was doing and that I really needed to do a lot more. Wearing my nice clothing is fine, but makeup can really finish off a great outfit. I can put in so much effort towards what I wear and the accessories I put on, even the hairstyle I go with, but without the makeup, it always felt a little incomplete. I'm not saying I look ugly without it (I think I look alright), just that everything isn't all there. I can't fulfill my style goals 100% without it, but I can't do it without smoother skin. So this year, it's all about repairing all the damage that's done.<br />
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Next week, I'll go over what I've bought. I promise this time, as I'll be taking notes every day. I'd like to go back to documenting my path, because I always like seeing how much things have changed. I'm really excited, especially because if this works, I can get back to perfecting my style to its fullest potential. I'm getting left in the dust! So the focus will shift away from fashion for a little bit. Then, once I've gotten to a better spot, I can go back to showing my fashion progress (seriously, I have so many cute things you've never seen!).<br />
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This Week's Product Lineup<br />
Day: Cleanser, Skinfood Royal Honey Essential Toner, Lotion<br />
Night: Cleanser, Mizon AHA & BHA Daily Clean Toner, Mizon AHA 8% Peeling Serum<br />
Test: Neulii Teatree BHA Blemish Control Serum (day), Tony Moly Clean Dew Apple Mint Cleansing Oil (night)<br />
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See you in a week!Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-12556733877988142082015-03-14T17:51:00.001-05:002015-03-14T17:51:57.325-05:00New Year's Resolutions 2015!Hello all~! <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m8dp1uIZdA1qb1380.gif" /></span><br />
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How were your holidays? Mine were pretty quiet. It's nice when things aren't so hectic. <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/85ce6f4318aedcc85a405e038ac11af294b23ffc.gif" /></span><br />
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I've been absolutely preoccupied with two of my resolutions as of late, as well as some life things, but as promised, I'm here in the new year! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002012238500561_zpsea2788e2.gif" /> I just had a *<i>huge*</i> makeup haul and everything finally came in. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/52749.gif" /> I'm still practicing how to really use them (have you tried the new Canmake Fleur blushes and highlighters? Because they're <i>amazing</i>!), but in the meantime, I'll continue my tradition of sharing my New Year's resolutions for 2015~!<br />
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Whenever I share them, I seem to end up accomplishing many of them, even if I forget I've had them, lol. Seriously, I always look back at last year's resolutions, and I'm really happy that I get to check most, if not all, of them off. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/e5ae92088fe458faddae1f2abd65cb248f024fa7_zpsfd51b1b5.gif" /> Maybe just by putting them out there, it's just subconsciously put into my mind and I just work on it even when it's not directly on my mind? I don't know. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4da5683750a21fbfa5d4966c101357c0.gif" /><br />
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*New Year's Resolutions <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/0c9a9881a42b0f3e33faae933796f6c2ba4ca56d.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/55b3997cdc572282b21a81bb0539c5aa0d719a37.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/ffb2183dd6ec180e65fb76714272283545b35f74.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/31d86334af586410cfd66b7347bacc565e654048.gif" />*<br />
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Too many times I get these huge bouts of inspiration to do something, and then I lose steam and never touch it for years. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/0a3eb03eb05d892f0e0d3aded3c1829b1388e0ba_zps66dc2bcf.gif" /> For 2015, I wanted to do something art related, get back my creative self which I've neglected, and finish something. I'd like to teach myself not just to have the desire to start something, but the drive to complete it. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/6584038860ac77d5a86d1ae57f0f9ed076d09300.gif" /> Originally, the goal was to customize a couple of clearanced out dolls into a pair of cute pastel goth anthros that I saw in a picture, but my mind instead chose to point out the fact that I haven't done much at all for either of my ball joint dolls (I bought another one in October, lol). As a result, I've been going into hyper-drive collecting items and working on my two girls, Felicity (Minifee Celine) and Summer (Loongsoul NuanNuan). I've owned Felicity for a little over a year and a half now, and all I did for her was buy her a sewing kit and give her half of a faceup that I didn't even like. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/525159ce90fbd8c7d1c9075dae0f4feaa3fa1ce7.gif" /> Now she finally has eyes, proper wigs, and a completed faceup that I actually like (even though it's not perfect, and I'll definitely redo it eventually, but for now, I'm happy to see her coming alive!)! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/117521.gif" /> My plans are definitely ambitious, and I've discovered that I really love making miniature accessories. Seriously, I feel so peaceful making them jewelry, and I'm always excited to make even more things (I may open a small shop so I can practice my skill). <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/1898385.gif" /> I'm really happy I finally get to officially welcome home Felicity and Summer, and now that I've perfected her personality, I also have plans to welcome another one this year, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/1823780.gif" /> I keep them out now, because it makes me feel so good seeing how far I've come to create them. This was the first resolution I came up with back in November, so I think it's my major one this year. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002010852351829_zps46c4da7f.gif" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/48624619d7d515083148e9c49ba33a36c5466b0e.gif" /></span> Find out more about my personal "mission statement". <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m98yeqd0GI1qid2nw.gif" /><br />
Some time in December, a single sentence randomly floated into my brain: “I just want to be the cutest warrior.” <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/12p.gif" /> It really resonated with me, to the point that I had to write it down. I've been trying to get a sense of who I am these past few years, but I feel that this is the first time something solid has come around. I want to be like a magical Shoujo girl, able to fight while looking charming and beautiful (to myself, that is). <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2505.gif" /> I want to pave my own way with my own two hands, and also be cute while doing it. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/7a2ab946ec2fe9e9d884efc478a5e9f4e3fe5030.gif" /> This year, I'd like to learn what that means for me and how to do it. It's a weird resolution, I know, lol. But just thinking about it makes me happy, so it's a goal I want to move toward. It definitely involves a lot of soul searching, though. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002012261367740_zps52180cd3.gif" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/bb20b4cdb41b7ca8870e6d281744554e8cbf68d9.gif" /></span> Work on perfecting
my wardrobe. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/dress.gif" /></div>
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Over the past few years, I bought a lot of cute clothes! ....And I gave most of them away. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/01b28e70437c5613a65fc680c24cb0e181275af6.gif" /> I donated a lot of filler, things I either never wore, or only wore once and didn't like on me. I've been thinking I wanted to have a huge wardrobe full of everything I could want for every occasion…. But this time, I want to acquire a wardrobe full of things I will wear often and can be worn in many different ways. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002011662588975_zps46e78f23.gif" /> I also want to take more outfit photos. I haven't bought much in the way of clothing lately (in fact, only this cute <a href="http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/dreamv/item/517939/?s-id=borderless_browsehist_en" target="_blank">MonLily romper</a> so far this year) as I've been focused on goals 1 and 2, but it's definitely something I want to work on. I've definitely become a lot more selective with what I want out there. There was a time when my wishlist was a mile long, but now I have a rule that if an item can't potentially go with at least three other items I already own, I won't get it. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4ba37dc19c6c83d0cfea062a8ac7166be5dffb20.gif" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/67115022f0897d7b32788b71c9bf709476b567f6.gif" /></span> Start and keep a makeup routine. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/b2cc134f4ab6c3a72170d31cc93d1c572825799c.gif" /></div>
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In the last couple of years, I barely wore any makeup, since my goal was to find a good skincare routine. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m2mn8tNym01qb1380.gif" /> Well I did that (even though I sometimes neglect to follow it and end up paying for it, lol) I want to learn how to apply makeup in the way I like every time. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/287802844fde0126799789805c4ffaed4a6aecdf.gif" /> I also want to perfect my Gyaru makeup, both everyday and special occasion styles. I want to acquire a selection of makeup that both looks good on me and is easy to apply. I also would like to wear makeup a little more regularly. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/1a4f528fded6bfca3f1dbb91ea549f84b6282179.gif" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/1796c0d2c1e9560754f46753596e2fa77aa787ea.gif" /></span> Save more than $1,000. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3739.gif" /></div>
I never save money! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/9fd90f7b744408f51a59ac32d7f3c5d78e08761e.gif" /> I’m very good at staying at status quo, in that I always seem to have enough money to make it to the next paycheck and never really have more or less at the end. But I’d like to save money. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/32df4f794149b5bd15dcf6ceb6897e8ec65126dc.gif" /> I’m always regretting that I don’t have enough to buy something I like because I bought something before. I've already started saving, and I’d like to save more than $1,000 before a year’s time. If I can make it, it means I can buy lots of lucky packs (if I want) instead of having to choose one or two, and still have money to buy gifts for my family! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/ab85928966e316d071eaef4f886668b5f689d67f.gif" /><br />
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Bonus resolution: Learn how to curl my hair. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010401318897.gif" /> When my hair is straight, it pretty much wants to remain straight until I have to wash it, lol.<br />
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Do you have any fun resolutions for this year?<br />
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As for me, it's back to dolly plans. Once I finished Felicity, I immediately got a vision of what I want her first outfit to look like. I think her style is Retro-kei with Larme-kei elements to it. No clue when I'll be back for more posting, since my passions seem to lie in my dolls for the moment, and I haven't really reached a point of balance yet (I guess it's because I have so much work to do on them, especially with a third one in the works), but I'll be back eventually!Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-25513273218218766712014-11-18T22:09:00.002-06:002014-11-18T22:09:51.535-06:00How a Nail Polish Collection Changed EverythingThis is a story about how buying an $18 5-drawer plastic rolling dresser for my overflowing nail polish collection changed my <b>entire life</b>.<br />Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic. But not entirely untrue, strangely.<br />
<br /><br />Things kind of snowballed. I had bought dozens of nail polish over the year, which had, as a result, overrun a good portion of shelving space. I needed to get them somewhere else, so I bought a rolling shelf to put them in.<br />
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The next day, I had cleaned my room <i>totally</i>.<br />
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Why am I bringing this up? Just to show how one very small thing can easily hold back or accelerate things. One thing happens, and suddenly everything is different. You come up with one idea, you take one little step, and suddenly, you realize you're halfway to finding your own happiness, stuff like that. Or you really want to accomplish something, but something small that seems way too huge to go past can hold you back completely.<br />
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I wanted to come back, but I wasn't ready. I mean, I had all the clothes, but where was the style? Where was the zeal? I was only doing things halfway, and I felt it completely. I was wishing to do more, but when I had the chance, I always came up with an excuse, and in the end, I only did part of it.<br />
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I had two big excuses. No makeup, and a messy room. I was too embarrassed to come here with a blank face and a million cords and dusty game systems all over the floor. I was always super envious of everyone else with their nice rooms with all the space to take nice photos, because I didn't think I could ever get something that nice, no matter what angle I was at. I was coming up with outfits I really liked, but it became a bother to have to take all the junk off my nightstand, hide all the stuff I was hanging on the cabinet doors, and shove all of my stacks of books and papers covered in drawings of clothing and notes for myself off to the side enough so they wouldn't show up in pictures. Actually, I dreaded it. Not to mention, I didn't have foundation anymore. I had run out of the BB cream I was using last year, and even though I had the money, I'd blow it all on snacks or trinkets, things I didn't really need (like more nail polish, lol). I told myself, this paycheck, I'll buy the makeup. I told myself, this weekend, I'll neaten up my room. And I never did, because it seemed like so much work, I wasn't making enough, and I was just too tired....<br />
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<b>Excuses!</b><br />
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I like blogging. I really do. But I'm a perfectionist, so I hate doing things only part of the way, because I only feel disappointment that I could and should have done more. So, I would neaten up the floor a bit, but I still had a bag full of old fabric and yarn from some school project I finished without them. I'd rearrange my shelves, but I had piles of clean clothes I hadn't folded piled up in a basket. In the end, one part of the room was a little less cluttered, but the rest of the room was still cluttered and ugly, and after a while, I would give up keeping things neat and just toss everything to the ground again. 'What was the point?' I thought. 'It still looks like a mess everywhere else.' 'I'm just too tired to clean everything, and I have to wake up super early tomorrow.' 'I'm fitting my entire life in my room, of course it'll never look nice.' Etc. I wouldn't let anyone in my room. I wouldn't let anyone <i>see </i>my room. By the end of it all, I couldn't even use my own full sized mirror. I had bought a scanner/printer, and the only space I thought I had left was right in front of it. I was overwhelmed, and I wanted to just wanted to believe it was impossible to fix and that I was defeated.<br />
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Then I bought a little rolling shelf.<br />
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I put all my nail polish away, and rolled it to the one spot where it wouldn't be in the way: next to the TV. But I had two drawers left. I didn't know what to do with them, so I just shrugged and went to sleep. At least my nail polish collection was put away.<br />
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I set my alarm for 7am, since I'm trying to get in the habit of waking up early, even on my days off. Still, as the alarm went off, my intention was to go right back to sleep. Not like I had anything else to do that day that I really needed to be up so early. But as I closed my eyes, waiting to eventually drift off again, an idea popped into my head.<br /><br />Why don't you put your gaming systems in those other drawers? You can get them off the floor and out of the dust!<br />I actually couldn't sleep anymore until I did this, so I grabbed some bleach wipes and paper towels, wiped down the systems and put them away. But then I thought, well if the systems are put up, there's no reason to keep the power cords out, right? I wiped down the cords and extra controllers and put them away as well. Then I figured, since the floor is cleared, why not sweep up the area?<br />
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The floor looked clearer than it ever had, and I just kept going. <br /><br />
Hey, if I'm going to clean all this stuff, why don't I sort out the clutter around it, and finally get rid of this bag of yarn that's been sitting here for years? <br />
Well since I have space on this shelf now that all the nail polish is put away, let's rearrange some stuff and put my printer in here instead of in front of the mirror!<br />
Let's reorganize the rest of the shelf, and clear up some space on the top while I'm at it!<br />
Let's wipe down that light fixture and replace the burnt bulbs! <br />
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I didn't stop moving for hours, and I never felt tired for a second. I just felt brighter and clearer, and everything just flowed effortlessly. I cleaned for 10 hours straight, tossed out 4 bags worth of trash and old products, and sorted piles of paper into a cute file I've owned for months.<br />
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I had all of the tools I needed to accomplish this except for a shelf for my nail polish, apparently.<br />
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The lesson of the story isn't how to clean a room. Actually, this is how starting and finishing a goal works. Even though I knew this in theory, I didn't actually know it in application until now. Do some little things, and you feel accomplished. Soon, you start saying, hey, why stop there? Let's start the next thing while I'm on a roll! Nothing I did felt overwhelming. I probably could have stopped anywhere I wanted and felt accomplished. But I did one little thing over here, and one little thing over there, and when I stepped back, everything was done. I have so much floor space, and even better, I don't feel so self conscious about what's going on behind me (although it'll be even better once I get a shelf for all my cute shoes back there). I thought I wouldn't be able to accomplish it unless I spent hundreds of dollars on special cabinets and dressers, and at one point, I had so much stuff around that I thought I'd have to move into my own place before I had the space to get back into taking outfit shots again. (And who even knows when that would be? o_o) In other words, I was lazing around, waiting for my 'big break' instead of doing something to make it happen on my own, and I was coming up with all of these arbitrary and lofty conditions for success to happen when it was really so simple. In the words of 90s Sonic the Hedgehog, "That's no good."<br />
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Then, cleaning my room lead to me going back to practicing my fashion again.<br />
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I bought some more makeup. I originally bought them as a gift for myself for working so hard, but then I started thinking about what else I need to get in order to accomplish the look I really want. And because I wanted my face to be more even in texture so the makeup would go on smoothly, I got back into my skin regimen. Then I thought, I should start taking vitamins again, I've been kind of lethargic these days.<br />
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And so on.<br />
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I felt like the biggest bum in the world. The 3rd anniversary of my debut came and went (I wrote it in my schedule at the start of the year, I was so excited!), and even though I had ideas, I never followed through, because I felt like it was too much work and I was too far behind on it all. Even though I wanted to show everyone how far I've come and what I've learned, the mountain of stuff I felt needed to climb in order to do it seemed too high and impossible to pass. I wanted everyone to join me on my journey to get closer to the true me, but I was halting and hiding my progress for such little things, even though it seemed huge in my head.<br />
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But now I feel so happy and free. A huge weight has been lifted off of me, and I genuinely like being in here. Everything looks so open, but more than that, I feel less stressed. Heck, I feel like I can move so easily in here now! And best of all, I feel like if I can do this, I can do even more.<br />
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I'm not coming back just yet. I have a few more things to do. However, I'd like to come back for the New Year. Along with my style evolving, my makeup preferences have as well, so I have to buy some new things (especially lashes and circle lenses). I'm also hoping to accumulate a few more hair pieces and wigs. I bought a half wig and a fringe piece from Linea Storia (which I adore), and I recently found a cute wig shop with good reviews that I want to try. In general, I feel a lot more inspired to try, but I know it's just too soon to come back, the way I am right now. I just need a bit more time to recoup and rebuild. But I'm almost there.<br />
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As always, I'm truly very thankful for those who continue to stick around, though it has been a very, very long time since I've been here. I haven't left the fashion, still like the Gyaru aesthetic. Probably more Retro- and Roma-Gyaru than Hime-Gyaru these days, but still love the makeup and hair. I guess I'll get into things when I come back.<br />
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Alright, anyway, time to get back to work.<br />
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(Maybe this is the push I needed to get a new phone. I am *the most* tired of never having any service on my cheapo nothing phone, and besides, I have a whole wishlist of photo apps I want!)<br />
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See you in a couple months, and good luck on anything you're trying to accomplish right now!Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-45694425841389849892014-02-03T14:40:00.000-06:002014-02-03T14:40:00.421-06:00Axes Femme and Liz Lisa 2014 Fukubukuro Opening!Hello~! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/07e37afab4900c64597735058cb6a9cf3acdc576.gif" /><br />
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So the day we've been waiting for is finally here! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/10e4047c2339238de126615010b6f10c3489f7d8_zps7dc255d9.gif" /> Both of my lucky packs have arrived (they came in on January 14th), and I've inspected and tried on everything! I must say, I was pleasantly surprised! I got a lot of lovely things that I'll definitely be wearing a lot for this and next winter (and a few things I'll be wearing in spring!). So spoiler alert, I was "lucky" indeed~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2c45a1862b9b47251a443e1525d2055b0a134d1e.gif" /><br />
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I used the shopping service Tenso. I signed up for both Liz Lisa and Axes Femme, and instead of putting in my address, I put in the Tenso designated address. There are plenty of tutorials that explain how to do it (including one on the Tenso website itself) so I won't go into it, but it's actually very easy to do. Then I just put in my credit card information. I knew it went through, because the website takes a small amount (like a penny) from your card to make sure that it's a real card. They cancel the transaction, and it's also a quick way to find out if your card properly went through as well, if you check your account on your bank's website (if you're able to). Now I'm able to buy whatever I want from these sites! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/1ac48d0b0eb3f9ebdc9d32ea54d1dcb0f9f40391_zps22d5dd94.gif" /><br />
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Oh, and a special note, if your bank is the type that stops the payment and sends you an e-mail/text or calls to confirm that you're the one doing this, you'll have to confirm the payment then re-purchace the item. It should go through after that! Since these were pre-orders, they didn't actually take any money until they shipped it towards the end of the month. It takes a little while for my bank to clear the payment (and I guess they charge a little fee to convert from yen to dollar), so don't be too worried if you pay for something, but the money is still there a few days later. Just make sure you don't spend the money until then!<br />
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But you're not here for ramblings about the shipping process, you just want some pretty clothes, right? So without further ado, let's get to the lovely things I got in my packs! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002011024924917.gif" /><br />
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So let me start off by saying that the quality is great! Everything is nice and solid, and nothing feels cheap (even the little tote I got from Axes Femme).<br />
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Oh and for reference, my sizes are:<br />
Bust: 33in (84cm)<br />
Waist: 24in (61cm)<br />
Hips: 35in (89cm)<br />
Height: 5' 7.5" (171cm)<br />
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Everything fit great and nothing was tight at all. It's all extremely comfortable and soft, so it's great for everyday wear.<br />
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Liz Lisa Tote and Boston <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRe09LMj4S2iXqewfN65Qc21rYprNgIvTcgPy8ZLrnwvZWZQov6WeYtpn638lsIrJ0N4XfIX6UWw1GqBp2tVOKlLJIzWswPoOM8F7rx9hzAaMR0rVrqogLi7Y-T8GdcCeukwzDuwK3lVK/s1600/0118140212-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRe09LMj4S2iXqewfN65Qc21rYprNgIvTcgPy8ZLrnwvZWZQov6WeYtpn638lsIrJ0N4XfIX6UWw1GqBp2tVOKlLJIzWswPoOM8F7rx9hzAaMR0rVrqogLi7Y-T8GdcCeukwzDuwK3lVK/s1600/0118140212-00.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'll start off with Liz Lisa. These were revealed sometime, so I already knew what I was getting.... Or so I thought! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/fefbde50c7b0eacfd4ef51e9d8e5aee72552dfe7.gif" /> But I'll explain that later. The quality is definitely an upgrade from the trunk I got last year (not to say they were chintzy or anything, but you can feel the difference). Everything is in the same color scheme of brown and cream with some pink accents. The total for the set was ¥15750.<br />
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I was actually surprised that I would actually like the bags in person! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/777216b60cc6e10cd10343f4b953f8e0c7db41cc.gif" /> I thought they would just be too plain, and though they are still plain, in my hands, I like them a lot more. The boston is actually a three way: you can use it as a handbag, and shoulder bag, and it comes with an extra strap to make it into a backpack! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/341aa6a616f76643a35b46ffcae3d77271f32575.gif" /> Alright, let's get to the items inside, starting with the boston bag!<br />
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Tank top <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_m42zz9eftf1qdlkyg_zpsb81000c6.gif" /><br />
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A tank top that fits even while wearing a bra! The chest doesn't hit too high or too low or anything~! The back has a bit of elastic, so it stretches a little. It's semi sheer, so it's definitely meant to be worn under things instead of on its own. Its original price point is a bit high though.... Are their tanks usually $40 even when they're this simple?<br />
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Sweater <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/4d6f49aa303d2afeaf66d38c20dd9b07f774434a_zps27038035.gif" /><br />
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The last sweaters I got from them were long, so I was glad to see this was a shorter one. It's got a nice design on the front, and it fits over my larger items. In fact, I wore it over the dress I got with the boston, and it wasn't tight at all! It's a nice dusty off white color, so it'll go with all of my spring stuff, lol.<br />
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Dress <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/16af29cfc55b0b4a6fcbb3faa9f8c39cf18a5873_zps07e5b0d2.gif" /><br />
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A very soft and cute dress that can either be worn high on the shoulders or lower. It's not too overly fancy that it can't just be worn on a normal day. The inside is lined with a satin fabric and there's elastic around the neck and the waist, so it's very comfortable to wear and easy to put on. It's very short, especially on me, but LL is known for their short skirts and dresses anyway, lol.<br />
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On to the tote! Surprise! The website showed that I would be getting something entirely different! In fact, the only thing I got that was the same was the makeup pouch. But it was a pleasant surprise, as I got some lovely things~! Also, this tote is <b>huge</b>. What do people use totes for? I feel like I can use this as an overnight bag.<br />
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Top <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m9xokleeTL1qid2nw.gif" /><br />
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I didn't think I would like this top when I saw it, but I promised myself I would try everything on. It's actually very cute and goes great with the dress and skirt I got with this. It's pretty sheer, so I'll be wearing a tank underneath.<br />
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Skirt <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/1939bf5d006b9003e487306123d2019b55487ea2.gif" /><br />
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I love this skirt! It's made with the same fabric as the dress from the boston, so it's super comfortable. There's shirring on the back, so it just slips on, and it's lined in the same satin as the dress as well. I would have also loved to have the shorts that they showed coming in the pack, but I still like this skirt all the same.<br />
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Dress <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/866bd55c83083283821de6c6a2296f81807b5e67_zpsc92e0872.gif" /><br />
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Another item I didn't think I would like, but when worn, it looked really cute! There's shirring on the back of this as well, and lined with satin. I really like the pinstripe detail on the front. It's pretty warm, so I think I can get some wear out of this in early spring.<br />
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Coat <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/manteau03.gif" /><br />
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I must be honest, I was really hoping for the white coat, since I already have the brown coat from last year. Still, it's a nice coat. Not as form fitting as I would have liked, but it'll be great to wear when I want to wear one of my fluffy sweaters from last year's pack (which were just too thick to wear with my last LL coat without worrying that the buttons would explode right off if I took a deep breath, lol). It's also not very thick, so it's definitely not something I'd wear when it hits our record lows, but I've always wanted a cute jacket to wear in early spring when the temperature is in the 30s and 40s.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/30v.gif" /></div>
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Axes Femme Pack<br />
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I tried to get a good idea of what was in one of these packs, but I really only saw a few consistencies. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c40c0855839f717b6e9a19da20eb68881113ce25.gif" /> People were getting one of two styles of shirts, turtlenecks, coats, dresses, and a random shirt, with the only thing guaranteed being a cardigan. Everything was in all these random colors, so even when I had an idea, I still couldn't guess what I could get. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010454413366.gif" /> I made a promise to myself that if it was in a color that I didn't normally go for (like orange or something) that I would still try it out and keep it if it looked good on me. It cost me ¥10000 and came with a nice little tote that I can use maybe as a grocery bag. Not a single skirt or pair of shorts though, and most of the items don't go with one another, so if you're hoping to get a full outfit out of this, it probably won't happen unless you get lucky and something matches with your dress.<br />
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Everything was stored in this cute box, and you can actually move the handle so it changes from luggage to drawer style. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/604e5dc6289fd1853ac7656ed25f33f289336a57.gif" /> It's cardboard though, so don't try to use it as luggage, lol. I put Felicity in it, and she fits perfectly, even with her foam inserts from her original box! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/1163b023ee4bb76e05fd4872ec8e2e7a16883f2c.gif" /> She now has a new home, and I'm really tempted to glue the foam to the box, lol. I mean, I guess it's not like I'll be using the box for anything else.<br />
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Short sleeve top <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/66797a5f9ef9beade46d4bcd0ff1c3aca39fdcfb.gif" /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back</td></tr>
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This was the only thing that was lackluster for me. It's pretty and all, but it doesn't form very well to my body as the back just balloons out on me. It's got a mock corset back on it, and with the exception of the sleeves, the black parts have a vinyl feel to it. I gave it to my friend Jessi (the fashion buddy I've spoken about) since it's in her style and I thought it might look better on her. <span style="font-size: x-small;">*Becauseyoutotallyneedmoretops,right?*</span><br />
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Tie neck top <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m9xojvjwUV1qid2nw.gif" /><br />
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From the reveals I found, I knew I would either get this style of shirt in white or blue or another shirt in white, blue, or lavender. Though I was hoping for white, I still like this top and I'm glad I got this one instead of the other. I don't know why, but it has a very Ank Rouge kind of feel to it. Maybe it's the tie? I'll have to invest in some jumper skirts to go with it.<br />
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Cowl neck top <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_inline_mgpgdrI2i61qdlkyg_zpsd1472e09.gif" /><br />
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It's my favorite item~! I'm definitely going to need to find some more skirts to go with it! It's so pretty and elegant, that even if I wear it casually, it'll look fancy. There was another style of turtleneck/high neck top I could have gotten instead, but I don't know if I would have loved the other one as much as I love this!<br />
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Dress <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/5537.gif" /><br />
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It's a really comfortable and cute dress~ The tie is kind of in a weird position, but since it was tied in the front when I took off the wrapping, I guess that's how it's supposed to tie. I knew I would be getting one of two styles of dresses in a variety of colors. I think I would have preferred the other one, but it's still a cute dress. Also, it's longer than the LL ones, hitting a few inches above the knee, which is my favorite length for a dress to be.<br />
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Light cardigan <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_m3wgcgY1a81qdlkyg_zpsa328f15c.gif" /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decal detail</td></tr>
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Oh I really like this~! And that's not and ironed on patch. It's actually sewn onto the sweater! Every pack I saw had this style of sweater, but I also saw a good 5 different colors. I'm glad I got black, since I've been needing a black cardigan, but couldn't quite find one I liked.<br />
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Coat <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002011614813128_zps081c5c7c.gif" /> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeve and pocket detail</td></tr>
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This has become my new winter coat. It's nice and thick, and solid enough to handle even our Chicago winters (it's noticeably thicker than both of my LL coats). Even the lace details are heavy-duty. This coat was made to stand the test of time. The pockets work and the buttons have a lovely design. But what really blew me away was the bow detail on the sleeves. And it's such a pretty blue! I could have used this when it got into the negatives in early January, lol, but I can say it kept me warm when it was 5°F recently. The sleeves are a little short on me, hitting above the wrists, but I'm used to that. It's probably made that way so you can wear their fur trimmed gloves with it.<br />
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And there you have it, my lovely lucky packs. I am so totally satisfied~!! I will definitely try my hand at both of them again next year (as insanely difficult as it was to get the AF one)!<br />
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So, what's a fashion blog without coordinates?? I've been a right dunce in that regard, so the next post will be some outfit shots! I need to get this blog back on track, lol.<br />
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Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-39569025444720172442014-01-14T15:35:00.000-06:002014-01-14T15:35:00.614-06:00What I Would Tell Beginner Gyaru MeHello all~! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/c007f415deb5e35682d09ceed3362fd021ab206f_zpse1fd7f27.gif" /><br />
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In March of 2013, Mitsu of <a href="http://universal-doll.com/" target="_blank">Universal Doll</a> posted an entry on what you would tell your beginner Gyaru self after having been in the fashion for a while.<br />
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I've recently gone back to that post, as I had posted in it when she put up the entry. It made me think about my current route and how far I've come to reach this point. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/e9bac514b4a7b64b98cabd990b2078acf8b9826b.gif" /> Feels like only last year that I was staring in awe at the pretty Jesus Diamante dresses and wishing for one of their famous shoes. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/397982735992a7b9d9e294a16303db4cb0f8a40a.gif" /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one specifically.</td></tr>
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Times have certainly changed since those days (though I still want those shoes), and I've grown and learned a lot about my style and what I hope to achieve. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010522988492.gif" /> Even in the short period of time in which I wrote my comment on her page, I've learned even more.<br />
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So I wanted to take the time to talk to past newbie Gyaru me, knowing what I know now and going through what I've gone through.<br />
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Dear Beginner Gyaru Tiffany,<br />
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So you've decided to embark on a new journey to a new you, now with 200% more self-love, and your first step was to finally start wearing the things that make you feel pretty. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/88ccec026ea8d73b927ac33d4983584eca9732b8.gif" /> That was a really big first step for you! It's 2010, you've just discovered those really awesome Ageha scans, and you've finally chosen a direction that seems to make you happy. But you know you've got a long road ahead of you. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/31024afa1f0ae421712bab1db92c4117f064d118.gif" /> So here I am, totally wise and extra amazing (maybe) future you to help guide you! I know, I'm so kind and wonderful.... Hey, don't roll your eyes at me! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/46f48aca0bbff6681fffe438488e2a6eca9f6c67.gif" /><br />
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I've got a lot to say, so listen up! <br />
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To start off, I'm going to save you the trouble. Tea tree castile soap. It is the best thing you will ever buy and put on your face. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_mf2lruo3w11qid2nw_zps4e5d72f5.gif" /> Start using it. Use it daily. Doing your makeup will be so much more difficult when you're trying to put on a billion layers just to cover up your acne scars. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/9154fc34f805f966c935695d350ca3a198380788.gif" /> Don't be lazy about it either, because the acne will eventually come back. Just do it. And when you can, invest in an automatic face brush. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/f4df37577641298177212558d607439280c20b5b.gif" /> You'll thank me in about 2 weeks when you finally have smooth and cystic acne free skin for the first time since junior high.<br />
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Second, only one layer of BB cream. Stop layering it on. It just looks caked on and bad. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2af937461c7ae9136091981fa9b76c6d59ad9171.gif" /> And stop telling yourself that your makeup is just going to make you look ashen and dull and give you shiny skin. Pick another cream. Don't resign yourself to your makeup fate! I know it sucks to waste money, but it's better than continuing to put it on and looking like you're trying to cover some embarrassing face tattoo. And study some contouring. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c31c0a68ce68c987a95c741558f1eb0a5b82fd03.gif" /> It'll really help. Don't worry too much, I only just realized this a year ago myself....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And your makeup collection will look a little like this one day.</td></tr>
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Practice! Yeah, I know you've been slacking. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/mm30.gif" /> <i>But then I'll have to spend forever removing it</i>, I hear you whining. That's why my first tip was tea tree castile soap. The stuff cuts through makeup like a warm knife through butter, and heals your skin while it does it. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m2mn8tNym01qb1380.gif" /> Save the makeup remover for your eye makeup. <i>But then I'll have to waste the makeup</i>, I hear you protesting. Sure, or you can only use it when you're going out. And look like a 4-year old who got into her mom's makeup because <i>you didn't practice</i>. Just practice, okay? Embrace the inner perfectionist, not the inner miser, and <b>Get. It. Right.</b> You'll get better over time, and then you won't have to waste your makeup anymore. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m1hj8yhjgz1qb1380.gif" /><b><br /></b><br />
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Stop only looking at Hime styles. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/108422e12dd4627e464ce8f402cb51a8b824ccd7.gif" /> I know, that's what you're trying to do. But you are totally narrowing the field and boxing yourself in. I know you like other styles. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_m42zyzL2Pr1qdlkyg_zps67b770ea.gif" /> It's okay to like them. It's okay to learn about them. It's okay to try to mix them in with your style. It's okay to come up with your own style. Look at everything. If you like the outfit, save the photo. If you like the color scheme, save the photo. Even if you just like the feel of the outfit, save the photo. It'll keep the style fresh and you won't get bored or feel trapped. There may be rules to the style, but there's no rules to you! You'll have so much more fun if you give yourself the freedom to customize a bit. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/647ed27f790635326a8ce47da00539c968a21286.gif" /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You won't stop loving that Gyaru makeup and hair though.</td></tr>
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Be patient. I know, it feels like everyone in the world has mastered the style in three days and is now the best Gyaru ever, and you're sitting there spinning your wheels in the mud. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/188f9b488fea00d7f01be520d64c130c031b8eae-1.gif" /> But they haven't. And you aren't. Don't just buy something because it fits the Hime mold you're trying to fill, even though you know it's not particularly something you like. You're never going to wear those things you bought. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/9fd90f7b744408f51a59ac32d7f3c5d78e08761e.gif" /> You'll donate them. Trust me. I was there. When I... you... we bought them. Just take your time and keep studying the styles you like. And save that money for something you know you'll wear! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/1898385.gif" /><br />
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And finally, but I'm sure most importantly, don't be afraid to be true to yourself. No, your true friends and family won't laugh at you or tell you that you look ugly (your grandma will assume you're doing this to please other men, but she won't hate it. Mostly.). They love you and think it'll fit you perfectly. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/couronne.gif" /> Actually, they just want you to be happy more than anything. It's super scary stepping outside of your comfort zone, I know, but eventually it will become your new comfort zone, one that you'll actually like being in and not one you're only in because it's what you've known forever. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3751642d6b180c4c307e81133429f9df1a6af822.gif" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ3eeVvBJ-G6dqmfexnmUpPThP45sG0abEHJdQZxVFNXwasShRZAqXcjQd8hyphenhyphenIMr6TvpizYPSDUFAjESqP_IIVj6jr3JcCbAKYQc8ZCRtva0YldK_1GL9vohM9XMwSUG7z-i7SuLoGg8l/s1600/DSCF0760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ3eeVvBJ-G6dqmfexnmUpPThP45sG0abEHJdQZxVFNXwasShRZAqXcjQd8hyphenhyphenIMr6TvpizYPSDUFAjESqP_IIVj6jr3JcCbAKYQc8ZCRtva0YldK_1GL9vohM9XMwSUG7z-i7SuLoGg8l/s320/DSCF0760.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you know how happy you were when you got this far in 2012? <i>The </i>happiest.</td></tr>
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Eventually you'll be finding your own style and learning to be the best you that you can possibly be. But it's fine to take your time. You're a late bloomer, and that's okay. There's no time limit. Even if we never figure it out until we're 50, you've got to be you every single day of your life, so don't be afraid of what that might mean. We're learning every day and coming closer to the most me-like me ever, and even if it might feel like you're the only one who has to go through this or that it's a million years away, don't worry, because you're doing fine (also, you're sooo not alone). You'll have to work hard, and you'll definitely make mistakes, but don't ever be afraid to bring the inner you outside for everyone to see because it's a very pretty and far happier you, trust me. I believe in you! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c274430a335e3961d1ff04bee0d0239f5e737e91.gif" /><br />
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With all the love I can give,<br />
Tiffany<br />
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P.S.: You actually look super nice in skinny jeans and dresses, so stop hating your legs already! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/458003.gif" /><br />
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I think that's everything I'd say to my past self, more or less. I'd like to think she'd feel encouraged, if she read this.<br />
Is there anything you'd like to tell the you in the past who's just starting your fashion, whatever it may be?<br />
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In other news, I've paid to ship my 2 fukubukuro, so I'm just waiting for them to arrive. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2f54df6fb43a8cdf3403f57063bb98b3999cf9c4.gif" /> They should actually be in very soon! I sent the money Thursday evening (which was around Friday afternoon their time), so they didn't send it until Saturday evening. When I checked the tracking, not even expecting it to work yet, it said it was already in Chicago! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/9bb25c7a4c4c0f33f4d57cadc238ab51acd85e53.gif" /> As long as nothing stops or slows it down (like the -14°F weather we had last week! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d50d60353461d6776822077f046b4eb77ae056fa.gif" /> We've had a lot of blizzards here, but it hasn't been that cold in around a decade!), I should be seeing it today~!! The Liz Lisa packs were revealed quite some time ago (and I think I'll be keeping most if not all of them as long as they look good on me), but I've been trying to find out what's I could get in the Axes Femme one, and it seems to be somewhat random. I've seen a few consistencies between them, and I've determined what I might get, but which ones are still up in the air, and the colors were very rarely consistent, so I really could just get anything. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010454413366.gif" /> Still, I liked what I saw, so I think I'll like the things I get. But I noticed I'm only getting one pair of bottoms among the 13 pieces of clothing, lol. I know what I'm going to have to start investing in....<br />
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Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-72641165861213558152014-01-01T19:06:00.001-06:002014-01-01T19:06:36.176-06:00Resolutions for 2014!So, another year has arrived! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/16196cbb1a54334e029f970bdf49d0c9da187cf4_zps9c077c4c.gif" /><br />
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2013 brought a lot of life lessons to me. Not much happened in an event sort of way, but I made a lot of inner changes. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/88dd489b278f89dd7e7afac9437c8d4a2eaec334.gif" /> In fact, that was my main resolution for the year, to simply learn more about me, and I ended up having a huge revelation about myself.<br />
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Did you do anything for New Year's Eve or New Year's Day? I spent 1/1 with a nice personal spa day! Just deep cleansed 2013 right out of my skin, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/7f905126e8713798b43cb85a810f994c2dfaf485.gif" /><br />
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I like the idea of resolutions. I know, it seems silly to just start something at the beginning of the year when you could just start it right away, but the reason I like them on New Year's is because of when it is. It's far easier to notice how much you've grown starting at the beginning of a year than during the middle.<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002010858931743_zps4b16e0d0.gif" /><br />
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For 2014, I decided to go big again and have a bunch of little resolutions instead of a couple huge life-altering ones, lol. Here are my New Years resolutions for <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m2gm72pZOd1qb1380.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m2gm7j2SDB1qb1380.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m2gm6yOT541qb1380.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m2gm7asKQV1qb1380.gif" />:<br />
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1. Go out more. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/7f488098d7e7a695ecd9c907f6f364795be480e4.gif" /><br />
I didn't get to wear any of my cute dresses
outside! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3edbda0accc5475de5e4960912a6f6b4b0fb8271.gif" /> This year, I want to wear my pretty outfits and go to some
nice places, even on my own. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/c2942d5b0e071c5294e27f0eb3d2bac00730e613.gif" /> There's no point in owning clothing that
just sit in a drawer all the time, and experiences definitely aren't
going to come to me while I'm lounging at home, that's for sure! I've
got a whole bunch of new clothes for the start of 2014, and I really
want to get some use out of them, besides coordinating them in my room.<br />
<br />
2. Develop my fashion style. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/16af29cfc55b0b4a6fcbb3faa9f8c39cf18a5873_zps07e5b0d2.gif" /><br />
It seems I've determined my style is some kind of a vintage princess style, so I really want to not only define what it means, but to enact it by the end of 2014. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/1e0dc0c8a9e482b168514b8c6a14d2c0e4969967.gif" /> When I try to envision it, it still only comes up in bits and pieces, but I want to be able to see it clearly. I've already typed up a pretty solid outline about it, so this one might be completed sooner than later.<br />
<br />
3. Find a job that makes me happy. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/43ef28b85412ba9efa91136a449b7ad21a46ed1f.gif" /><br />
I've started questioning what I want to do for now, but wherever I end up, I just really want to be happy to get up and work, I'd like to work better, steadier hours, and I want to be cute and wear cute things while doing it, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/78824c4310791fe6fb6ebda1927eec29d03dee54.gif" /> I made a dream schedule for my weekdays, the kind of schedule I wish I had, and I'd love to get closer to it.<br />
<br />
4. Work on a flashier makeup style. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/e8983f97b509b0186718d557fc44f937b5949fed_zps92b9b3ef.gif" /><br />
I have a cute, natural makeup style, but I've neglected the Gyaru side of my fashion since either I feel too bad getting overly dressed when hanging out with my friends (who prefer the casual side) or it's just too much when going out for regular errands. However, now that I have a friend who likes a flashy fashion too, I want to start wearing lashes and circle lenses again, and get back to my Gyaru roots. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d0502e4eb90d4e65c55bff99043f54103ac9413e.gif" /><br />
<br />
5. Continue my Japanese studies. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/26620f65a860b9b50c02ac03526b181c1418f940.gif" /><br />
I was told yesterday that
whatever you were doing as the clock struck midnight is what you'll be
doing for the rest of the year. Well, turns out I was trying to read a
manga in Japanese, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/6584038860ac77d5a86d1ae57f0f9ed076d09300.gif" /> Seriously, it was my grandma who called me a
minute after midnight, as I hadn't even noticed myself that the new year
had already begun! I bought Japanese From Zero 2 and a beginner's
dictionary which should arrive sometime in the next week, and I hope to improve enough to even be able to understand my
favorite models' blogs. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/94b6c28a9a3bcfd9a2f571547dfa15c1f2c44eda.gif" /> Perhaps one day, I can start my own Ameblo! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a1cc0947c1dfc9504360757a413d06f63c94cf21.gif" />
But that's some time in the future. (By the way, the manga I'm reading is about a dog who gains the ability to talk after eating a flower. It's so cute! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m1l56ox8qV1qb1380.gif" />)<br />
<br />
6. Work on Felicity more. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/79676.gif" /><br />
I got my ball joint doll Felicity (a
Minifee Celine) early in the year with huge plans, but whenever I had
the chance to work on her, I was either too busy, too tired, or feeling
lazy. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c735beb4999917773e03015b0a876b13.gif" /> In 2014, I really want to do some things with her, like make her
at least one outfit and give her a face-up that I'll like on her. I know I still like her, because I don't like the thought of giving her up (and I have no qualms with giving anything I don't need up right away), so I want to make the character I've always imagined her to be. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/efcbc25a4cbe34dde9ea1ddb15fa89879476e51e.gif" /><br />
<br />
Do you have any resolutions of your own for this year?<br />
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2013 was a very good year for me, and the only thing I regret is that I spent way too much time sleeping and working, and not enough being me. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/546603cb3bb19ebe75a83cd66d61f0e10bb049b4.gif" /> I don't want to be a workaholic, and I don't want to waste my days sleeping everything away! But whatever happens, even if I don't accomplish any of my resolutions, I want to have lots of good times.<br />
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Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope this year is full of far more happy memories than sad for you all!<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/img_407562_22246413_19_zps7a7a2ae0.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/img_407562_22246413_20_zps6acaac9d.gif" /> </div>
Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-10999553474477143352013-12-28T19:54:00.000-06:002014-01-06T09:29:14.008-06:00Happy Birthday, Self!Hello once again~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/71d60324724d76443038a9caf1b1e605d8aa2fe5.gif" /><br />
<br />
As I promised, I have come back after a bit of a break, not just from here but from work too. I've been getting so many hours at such random times that I had to ask if I could get an extra day off. I ended up getting pretty much 4 (they sent me home really early on one day because it was so quiet). <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/98d237ef5305bfcd71bf311972edfc728a0380c8.gif" /><br />
<br />
After that <i>sort of</i> vacation, I feel a lot more energized. It's great to have money and all, but it's even better to have my sanity! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010454413368.gif" /><br />
<br />
So I guess I'll talk about the few things that have happened over the past few months~! (besides all the working and sleeping, lol)<br />
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<br />
First, I've made a new friend! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010404634681.gif" /> Or rather, I've gotten closer to a previously casual friend. Turns out she was just as much into fashion as I am! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a719df827cce51da0e1b1427b3c483b59a4d8089.gif" /> I introduced her to the Pastel Goth style, and she totally fell in love with it. I now have someone I can be Gyaru with, which now means I need to practice my Gyaru style again, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/38e672d970d5a7c69b63d07eefa9a5d66ff726e3.gif" /> I never like going all out with my other friends, because it feels like I'm overshadowing them since they like more subdued styles. I mean, I don't want to steal the spotlight from them just because my clothing is flashier. They're pretty too! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/1b50981f3ee417c7ff6b95424280f75917cbcbd6.gif" /><br />
<br />
And how is this for a great New Year beginning: I bought not one, but two fukubukuro! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/1647284.gif" /> The yen to dollar rate is amazing right now, so if there's anything in Japan you want to get, jump on it!<br />
<br />
The first one is a Liz Lisa one. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/5936244a4f3055c3a739d52df03244d83e56b8f9.gif" /> This year, I decided to go for the tote and boston pack, as at the time I didn't have the money or space for the trunk (which probably works out a little better anyway). Since I already had experience with their fukubukuro, I pretty much just let the rush pass me and bought it an hour after it went on sale, lol. I probably could have waited even longer, since I think I read that they're selling these packs until the 31st? I guess they've got a lot of inventory they want to get rid of, lol.<br />
<br />
Now the second one is the Axes Femme pack! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/89a5deeb0f8738c0e81ab3946e18231b984822c4.gif" /> I've been looking at Axes Femme since I found out about them while looking up Classic Lolita coordinates (a style I'm heavily influenced by). I went to the website and discovered that they were not, in fact, a Lolita store, but probably more of an Otome-kei store. Their clothing is categorized as feminine and elegant, with lots of little details of lace and ribbons and pearls. I did my research and found out that 2013's fukubukuro sold within an hour, so I knew this time I really had to be vigilant. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/8069fe57e5c66fdee924504460f7d7a4536d29f0.gif" /> But everything just kind of... <i>flowed </i>effortlessly. It sold out in around <i>25 minutes</i> after release, but I got mine within 5 minutes. It's a story of serendipity that I'll be replaying in my head for a long time to come, but I'm sure none of you are interested in that, lol. Just that I was very thankful. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010836637530.gif" /><br />
<br />
Fashion is really important to me. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/11435c0b39ebebdae51e203f30a257ba5c84f3ec_zpsb257ac4f.gif" /> I'm not very good at talking to people, so I use my clothing to tell people who I am instead. That's why working on my style makes me so happy~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m337rokmmN1qid2nw.gif" /><br />
<br />
I've gotten into nail polish! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/b43c61ff52322a249f07345f33b00f29dc00273b_zps1c272990.gif" /> I used to avoid it due to the bad experiences I've had with nail polish either not showing up or chipping or forming bubbles after just two layers. But randomly, I headed to the store and decided to get myself a retro red nail color. I found OPI's Big Apple Red, and tried it out. I was instantly hooked! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/304799_zps2d0606b1.gif" /> Not only is it fun to try out designs, but I like that for once I can grow my nails out without fear that they're going to shatter at the thought of tapping them against something. My nails were pretty brittle.... I'm now doing something about that, but in the meantime, the nail polish gives them that extra layer of protection, and I get to go back to having long, feminine nails that I used to have back when I was 10, lol. I'm still in "winter mode", so I'm always looking at dark colors and metallics/glitters. Come spring though, I'll start looking at dusty pastels. I should get myself a nail polish shelf soon, because I envision myself having quite the selection. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2d47e159bbfbec2f5be8547ac2aa8d86538cd97a.gif" /><br />
<br />
I've recently discovered a magazine called Larme. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a9ad4e591bffd375481ee856915728007d1339c5.gif" /> It's not a Gyaru magazine, but actually just a girly magazine in general. So far, they've covered all sorts of styles from Fairy-kei to Retro-kei, and even some styles that I don't know the name of, so I just think of it as feminine. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/dentellerose.gif" /> After looking at a bunch of random scans, I ended up buying the entire collection, lol. In fact, I have issue 7 headed my way, and I'm thinking of getting a subscription. It's really inspired me fashion-wise, and I definitely want to strive for this sort of style on regular days. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c5467fe9434536b8e4b1474444fc160022827e2f.gif" /> I was really fortunate in that I found issues 3-5 for $9 each on YesAsia and issues 1 and 2 on animebooks.com for $10, so I didn't have to pay those astronomical prices they're asking for on Amazon and Ebay. So far, I really like all of them, especially issues 2 and 3.<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010606032500.gif" /><br />
<br />
And I liked my magazines so much that it inspired me to get back into learning Japanese. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/6584038860ac77d5a86d1ae57f0f9ed076d09300.gif" /> After a bit of a hiatus, I flew through pretty much most of the book, and am currently I'm on the last chapter. I actually learned quite a bit, and though my vocabulary is lacking, I do understand some simple sentence structures and have learned most of the hiragana (there's some I keep forgetting, since they don't come up as often). I'll be picking up the other three books later so I can continue my studies. I can definitely recommend getting Japanese From Zero for those who want to learn the language but are having a hard time. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4ba37dc19c6c83d0cfea062a8ac7166be5dffb20.gif" /> I ended up buying a few manga with furigana in them, so I can practice my reading. I'm still not too good.... I still have to mentally translate each kana before I can even put them together to form a word.... It's mentally tiring to do it for too long. But I'm getting better, and sometimes, I can actually understand what I'm reading! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/d5c4d9c5c56c14beb9a4071b7d1978be42171a4d.gif" /><br />
<br />
Yesterday my 28th birthday. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/720ddb346ce4794dd5a33f12d49fc61a01ff9de1.gif" /> I've grown a lot in the past few years. Heck, I've grown a lot in the past 6 months! I always was a late bloomer in life, so I can't help but feel that my life is about to get a lot... fuller in the next few years. Don't ask me why, it's just a feeling I have. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/18828ce7b80dacb6b0d0a2cdc70049d72a4068d2.gif" /><br />
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<br />
That's really it for now. I'll be posting my New Year's resolutions in a few days, so I'll see you all then!<br />
<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010323975925.gif" /> Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-90340764560424391412013-10-25T12:05:00.001-05:002013-10-25T12:05:54.956-05:00Be Back Soon!Hello all~<br />
<br />
I am <i>so so </i>sorry that I haven't been on here in the past few months.<br />
<br />
I haven't abandoned my blog, and I haven't left my fashion, I promise. But my schedule has definitely been overstepping my body's limits for these last months. Sometimes I have to stay until after midnight, and sometimes I have to be up for work around 5a, so my body doesn't know when sleep time is anymore (and I guess I'm just getting to that age where I can't just go to sleep whenever I want anymore, lol). Any free time I have is spent catching up on the sleep I couldn't get throughout the week, and once I get up, it's spent running errands or hanging out with friends who work as much as I do.... I haven't done much in the way of 'fun' or done much of anything for myself, so a lot of my summer clothing never even got to see sunlight this year. And all of this while I'm going through my last bit of puberty (did you know it happens one last time between age 25 and 28?? I thought I was done with this years ago!). I'm so tired all the time, that sometimes I have to drink a 5-hour Energy just to keep up.... I guess such is the life of a full-time professional time slot filler, lol.<br />
<br />
So what's been up in these months I've been gone besides work? My skin's a bit of a mess due to using an electronic face brush for the past few days (but I can say my cystic acne is finally gone!), and a lot of things I used to do in regards to makeup have recently been thrown out the window, so I'll have to completely start over from scratch. Also, I cut my hair again, and this time, I'll be staying at the shorter-medium length from now on (just got tired of my long hair for the last time). Been reading up a lot on vintage styling as I try to figure out how to combine it with a bit of princess flair. So all in all, I've still been working on my style, if at least, a little. Not as much as I wish, but I haven't been stagnant, so I'm glad.<br />
<br />
I'll be gone a bit longer. My schedule hasn't changed much, and my body isn't very happy about it, lol, but I really want to get back to blogging, since I really love interacting with people who share my interests. However, with the way things are with my body, I think I'll continue to work behind the scenes a little longer.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'll be returning either <b>December 27th or 28th</b>, so until then, I will see you all later!<br />
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And a very, <i><b>very</b></i> sincere thank you to those who have been following me, even when I wasn't around. I know it doesn't take much to stick around, but it also doesn't take much to unsubscribe, so I'm very glad you've decided to stay. I truly appreciate it.<br />
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See you in a few months!Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-71014190609665533202013-05-22T17:00:00.000-05:002013-05-23T02:02:59.714-05:00Shopping Spree! (Part 2 - Even More Stuff!) (PIC HEAVY)Hello all~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c597c4ff56c9629aa2a3bceb7b35b2b8010d8766.gif" /><br />
<br />
I've recently come to a realization.<br />
I really like to shop, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a719df827cce51da0e1b1427b3c483b59a4d8089.gif" /><br />
<br />
I know, that's so typical, right? Girls liking to shop? Well, I never used to like shopping. Actually, I used to find it pretty pointless.<br />
<br />
Anyway, why am I saying this? Well, since my last post, I've added a ton of pieces to my wardrobe. Seriously, as I was originally finishing this, a bunch of items I ordered on Ebay came in, and then when I finally finished adding <i>those </i>to this post, even *more* things arrived. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/88e8459f001146012c21438b40c104175aade9c3.gif" /> And then I bought a lot of things.... Well <i><b>finally</b></i>, everything I've ordered has arrived, I've tried everything on, and I can finally talk about them.<br />
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<br />
So, let's continue, shall we? <br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_lw5n3hTQdT1qip80b_zpsfb4a99a5.gif" /><br />
<a name='more'></a> As I said some time ago, I really needed accessories. I <i>really </i>needed accessories. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/1898385.gif" /> Now, I decided to stay simple. Pearls! Pearls are absolutely classic, and certainly go with my style pretty much no matter what I plan to wear. Fortunately, the classic retro look is really in, so they had a whole section with their spring collection full of gorgeous gold and pearl accessories! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/image9629364.gif" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
**Necklaces**</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWKe4svaDb-9kAyvs2C8kD_jY1TV2xXmRkC5BHwh4GJy2VoonKYQTdkBVGlM4VS4EXt2NOxjN6ZU49SUjuymiSixr0PZ433vVotqMQxsuggxgzU8PROoJdkMgr_-jrA7RpTkPXQB_tuPk/s1600/0521131814-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWKe4svaDb-9kAyvs2C8kD_jY1TV2xXmRkC5BHwh4GJy2VoonKYQTdkBVGlM4VS4EXt2NOxjN6ZU49SUjuymiSixr0PZ433vVotqMQxsuggxgzU8PROoJdkMgr_-jrA7RpTkPXQB_tuPk/s320/0521131814-00.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom: Icing, Others: Charming Charlie </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A lot of these necklaces are, as my friend Tara calls them, "sneaky", lol. It gives me the look of layers without having to layer, so I didn't have to turn down a necklace because I already had a long one or anything like that. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/e1839a5dc3e97a1439b8ad1b9b4ec25e.gif" /> Makes getting dressed a little easier too. My favorite is the gold one with the bow, since it's really simple and can be casual or dressy, depending on what I wear. The black one on the end is one I've had for a while.<br />
<br />
I bought so many, I had to buy a jewelry display case for them all! Fortunately, they had one at Icing.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
**Earrings**</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoogFQGlNuc7fKGF2qk0d0Obchcu9imNvvFwKfrdnVb536IE8zTR4HxkSFqfZmiSSP1u08IkIDk0xYxhGtnfWstCPnRT069FAuZLFqSGLI0QYrmPhjmWx924qTE-fys3c0XryoSgUmTXN4/s1600/0521131820-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoogFQGlNuc7fKGF2qk0d0Obchcu9imNvvFwKfrdnVb536IE8zTR4HxkSFqfZmiSSP1u08IkIDk0xYxhGtnfWstCPnRT069FAuZLFqSGLI0QYrmPhjmWx924qTE-fys3c0XryoSgUmTXN4/s320/0521131820-00.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bow earrings: Icing, feather earrings: Forever 21, Others: Charming Charlie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I now also have proper earrings! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/3deb90a7b849ea75a631a26c26b9b24098193d6a_zps4fdf183b.gif" /> The ones with the feathers and the black ones are some that I've had for quite some time, but I could never find anything to pair them with previously.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**Bracelets**</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sg7XGIKAh4GsQUMQzR0FRrgvahvUTWJEjEvtuZ5WlXRoamAFpjNvhPwU8BXbM5Oi4ZRSHWhlrIBtyphihVndmqs7ERy4UpBR8rzaIwDnFphIsg6cqggAXvg2awP6A2tLEFnnvv7HrYcy/s1600/0521131818-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sg7XGIKAh4GsQUMQzR0FRrgvahvUTWJEjEvtuZ5WlXRoamAFpjNvhPwU8BXbM5Oi4ZRSHWhlrIBtyphihVndmqs7ERy4UpBR8rzaIwDnFphIsg6cqggAXvg2awP6A2tLEFnnvv7HrYcy/s320/0521131818-00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Charming Charlie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because of my small wrists, it's hard to wear bracelets, since they just slip right off. But I found these nice stretch ones! Maybe over time, I can find a few more that will fit.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**Hair accessories**</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWKfs7aHgGS5KjYHQG1VmLObD71PjDAC3kcsvgltxHDT9xT7HK6mdYRiVlEf__b69adSmx8vFmklbWHd9OWlTbh24HXF_uvOtdiaZI0eWBp_xMcSEnRUq1wcnxVd6l9ycZaAEUbkBiWB0/s1600/0521131803-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWKfs7aHgGS5KjYHQG1VmLObD71PjDAC3kcsvgltxHDT9xT7HK6mdYRiVlEf__b69adSmx8vFmklbWHd9OWlTbh24HXF_uvOtdiaZI0eWBp_xMcSEnRUq1wcnxVd6l9ycZaAEUbkBiWB0/s320/0521131803-01.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top left corner: Love Culture, Floral Headband: Charming Charlie, Others: Icing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
They've started selling those cute usamimi headbands recently! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/0b8faf18911af74dacd7b3d4cedac48b3ffdcb6b.gif" /> I've wanted once since they were popular, like, a year ago, lol. I bought the mint one to go with a new top (which is below). I've been heavily inspired by Okarie recently, so I've started getting into little barrettes. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/e124925e1fc3e6a48c1e6d9089f1401bbc5f0402_zps3d802fd1.gif" /> I wish we had some similar barrettes like the ones on Ank Rouge.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**Belts**</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadhJTX9ZVPECFgKiKHCTw5fvwodSCBcJT5Dw1txfA9kyAXHSyCOXnidhDdg36TubMTbEBBExQyg9QOJ_T7xsVedo7irbS9ZdvScnp6QMQf_QUds5WYk9n7dX1BI46fdEZRsJ6Z0F1VvGM/s1600/0521131824-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadhJTX9ZVPECFgKiKHCTw5fvwodSCBcJT5Dw1txfA9kyAXHSyCOXnidhDdg36TubMTbEBBExQyg9QOJ_T7xsVedo7irbS9ZdvScnp6QMQf_QUds5WYk9n7dX1BI46fdEZRsJ6Z0F1VvGM/s320/0521131824-00.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top Row: Target, Bottom: Ebay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2r5JvB7dVwI9DIofCfYi1s58KDunlAsO4oDoy3cxTmO9VyU8oEiloQ1usXfR9jDNwkm5CP0K24lGHtF0PuNboeKwjkeqJ9coDSmQb9Sd60sz5fNCa2INqFp6Mt0pj1zchDgVsaBCUsy_/s1600/0521131826-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2r5JvB7dVwI9DIofCfYi1s58KDunlAsO4oDoy3cxTmO9VyU8oEiloQ1usXfR9jDNwkm5CP0K24lGHtF0PuNboeKwjkeqJ9coDSmQb9Sd60sz5fNCa2INqFp6Mt0pj1zchDgVsaBCUsy_/s320/0521131826-00.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All from Ebay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really needed belts, lol. You can get the Ebay ones <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/130760035784?var=430093020694&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/360483523752?var=630053947752&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/290774779020?var=590080473210&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">here</a>. They're of really good quality, especially considering the price! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/530a717910c8ba011a25e42bdf3ef9e77cf5ff3a_zps745ed3a2.gif" /> I really like the leather style ones in the second photo, though when I got them, they had a weird, spicy smell, like cauliflower. It's gone now, but I have no idea what it was.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**Shoes**</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1mMuBJNDorPQFLP6baxmiT9obf5WTybRPUhujH1x1BbZtztQ47XX34kpLTYzmFHczZFCC4pJJCHdxuWSml9ZUQuCtnluiJmj3wD8VCsu9YA9dT6xV7o4W5NbdJxi2_eluPg6ZbG8c6ZO/s1600/0521131838-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1mMuBJNDorPQFLP6baxmiT9obf5WTybRPUhujH1x1BbZtztQ47XX34kpLTYzmFHczZFCC4pJJCHdxuWSml9ZUQuCtnluiJmj3wD8VCsu9YA9dT6xV7o4W5NbdJxi2_eluPg6ZbG8c6ZO/s320/0521131838-00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODvZ8FIf1IOWeCYAiNKIfQ-0iL4mBxvCCPQJWIOyi6xccnrnX_DTw2LahyDq0bvllCuz9IPBtzWSVxEhpnRWTUPe_FtLdj9UZY3yAXwAKnw1LURpL1rMoAzNNMeuZoXIRWqPMJnjwTzJJ/s1600/0521131839-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODvZ8FIf1IOWeCYAiNKIfQ-0iL4mBxvCCPQJWIOyi6xccnrnX_DTw2LahyDq0bvllCuz9IPBtzWSVxEhpnRWTUPe_FtLdj9UZY3yAXwAKnw1LURpL1rMoAzNNMeuZoXIRWqPMJnjwTzJJ/s320/0521131839-00.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XxVNYq1qOH2MEa0iwrt9FOLDmWIa56w0LSBlHMUqUQZM4jn4rQ7L7mbolPKcLx3DlB-gMZR20SvtOsnFSbxgDNTAO1jK6MzkOKPk5BcqHwem8wHPr-xldEd8ZtsD2ut_0tSDiFNn9mm6/s1600/0521131841-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XxVNYq1qOH2MEa0iwrt9FOLDmWIa56w0LSBlHMUqUQZM4jn4rQ7L7mbolPKcLx3DlB-gMZR20SvtOsnFSbxgDNTAO1jK6MzkOKPk5BcqHwem8wHPr-xldEd8ZtsD2ut_0tSDiFNn9mm6/s320/0521131841-00.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: DSW, Middle: Storenvy, Bottom: Target</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My dream shoes!! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/15f0e3375eaa0faac59e053a20812930.gif" /> Since last June, I've been looking for a pair of low-heeled wing-tipped Oxfords like these. I just couldn't find them anywhere without having to pay some astronomical price.... <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/e4a622203fdc23d71ea0b02cef796ab154346b1c.gif" /> But I decided to take my chances at the local DSW. I checked the discount sections first, but I just couldn't find anything. Just when I was losing hope, I decided to just browse the lanes. First, I discovered that some of their discounted shoes were also in the lanes too, but second, these shoes! At first, I was disheartened, as I couldn't find my usual size 8.5, but as I walked away, I had a feeling I should try the smaller one just in case, so I took a chance and tried the size 8....<br />
<br />
Well, I wouldn't be showing them off if they didn't fit, right? <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/0ccac069b360d912845071938f1bd2ca.gif" /> They're fairly comfortable to walk around in too (though I have to learn to slow down and stop walking like I'm on a mission, lol). I still need to find a nice pair of flats though, but I just can't get a right idea of how I want them to look, just that I want some everyday shoes to wear.<br />
<br />
The middle ones were bought recently. I got them from DollDelight's Storenvy page <a href="http://www.storenvy.com/products/1480763-liz-lisa-inspired-wedges-apricot" target="_blank">here</a> (she also has them in black). They are a half size too small for me, but I actually knew that coming in. I'm hoping to get them stretched out a bit. Very cute and true to the images. They're also surprisingly light. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/8a73646f856483a75cbf55cae7ef51d9b3a0ded7.gif" /><br />
<br />
The final pair are from Target that I bought sometime in early January. They're pretty nice looking, but they hurt to wear when walking for long periods. I can pull them up for boots, or I can zip it down a bit and make it fur trimmed. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/f0e4000bb5e6122923771c9a5d19420b81cb7eea.gif" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**Leggings and Socks**</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeKj4ej40LCjiHA2A6dJ2KIIa57J7pZwQaPg2rUiRQT9YyiT-6kT2R2tTuDwlUi5ruqFdAdE7XTHvzBKZDVnIZvjaSN3tDog5oM30sUSRpIwdCkCFx8FMpgxPNl-9J1n_2wAlgbmQ94gq/s1600/0521131829-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeKj4ej40LCjiHA2A6dJ2KIIa57J7pZwQaPg2rUiRQT9YyiT-6kT2R2tTuDwlUi5ruqFdAdE7XTHvzBKZDVnIZvjaSN3tDog5oM30sUSRpIwdCkCFx8FMpgxPNl-9J1n_2wAlgbmQ94gq/s320/0521131829-00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left two: Target, Right two: Ebay (ignore the stains on the last one, I wore them with my oxfords the day before, so they haven't been washed yet)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwgjhn-sFDXGVumhqeG2EqWLP4aXokMVQ9tybp9P4COtXw-525wxK_LDHZarku9PFR6hJLgIwwzvedY3d4FTxqfwHYmHOx2404rCvnZuVf9rn5YiFhMEYH-jGNIOZyC0zaAWHm0Fp5v97/s1600/0521131903-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwgjhn-sFDXGVumhqeG2EqWLP4aXokMVQ9tybp9P4COtXw-525wxK_LDHZarku9PFR6hJLgIwwzvedY3d4FTxqfwHYmHOx2404rCvnZuVf9rn5YiFhMEYH-jGNIOZyC0zaAWHm0Fp5v97/s320/0521131903-00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left two: Target, Right: Ebay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1isQyqiIcLovFiQDE-NZ2wW4rc1gn25qaevkNZqBfJTCnv62fgfJqMcVdFIIHU3npaJb13PnFpJL2EVxyt4HL0zCCGQZ9Wx6YnresBYwEYXDij0rng90R59UFMyi2YwprYglrxIwj3t6m/s1600/0521131924-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1isQyqiIcLovFiQDE-NZ2wW4rc1gn25qaevkNZqBfJTCnv62fgfJqMcVdFIIHU3npaJb13PnFpJL2EVxyt4HL0zCCGQZ9Wx6YnresBYwEYXDij0rng90R59UFMyi2YwprYglrxIwj3t6m/s320/0521131924-00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRbUM6BOLhYkEtVzO_bj66pUxhlwXIdAiort2RxEm5kfXHfUu1zoq68qe-_vsUlRePGQIIn7FhKbwkYHvRkoYHRw45m-47WWYuFXRwi4fHGmwoKwrGUQPx30jcrqKzw80-BZ7aJSuyZxI/s1600/05676876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRbUM6BOLhYkEtVzO_bj66pUxhlwXIdAiort2RxEm5kfXHfUu1zoq68qe-_vsUlRePGQIIn7FhKbwkYHvRkoYHRw45m-47WWYuFXRwi4fHGmwoKwrGUQPx30jcrqKzw80-BZ7aJSuyZxI/s320/05676876.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All from Ebay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Upon seeing that my LL trunk was in the area and probably going to be at my house the next day, I decided to buy some leggings at Target. They had a bunch on clearance, again, probably because they were part of their autumn collection. Nothing much to say about them, lol, though I guess I will say that the beige ones are really nice and warm, and the brown ones (not shown) go perfectly with the color of the flowers on my LL dress and my blue Yumetenbo dress (which I've posted a coordinate for some time ago). <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/780789.gif" /><br />
<br />
The sheer socks came from <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/261057589719?var=560171280849&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">this shop</a>.
The quality is amazing, and since it came from California, it only took
a couple of days to reach me. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/052ed492086fc521969fcfc2625b600a9d895b9f.gif" /> I'm thinking of buying some more. They probably look cream colored, but they're more of a pale yellow. The
lace topped ones come from <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/300852499671?var=600082365160&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">here</a>. They're really soft and look super cute with my oxfords. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/923910.gif" /><br />
<br />
The stockings are from <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/121093091665?var=420132440618&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/170764444438?var=470062828488&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/130854785009?var=430121748407&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649" target="_blank">here</a>. I went a little crazy at the first shop, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/e2a3482a5101d047a1206297f056b28581f4427d.gif" /> Surprisingly, the stockings all fit great, and weren't too short for me at all! The dark beige leggings I got so I could wear them under my stockings on cooler days, so I can wear shorts and stockings even during the beginning of autumn. The color matches my legs pretty closely. The white stockings were a little short on me, so I have to stretch them a little. You can't tell when I'm wearing a dress, but I try to be careful since I don't want to break them. In the closeup, it looks like a fishnet style, but when it's worn, the lines disappear and only the dots show.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**Fur collar**</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokd34Sp2uzNK05HcuCtMM56ZpbzwPuJyodlRhgIugtaWvegQBCwL8fIcGmX9eqqVjMjrXtFUWMBeEkx1icmD0wfqqvHgQ5793eijKSes7eD8Xe7w-CcUlM_3HsWV8eRUgFGntZW6s8QhV/s1600/0521131856-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokd34Sp2uzNK05HcuCtMM56ZpbzwPuJyodlRhgIugtaWvegQBCwL8fIcGmX9eqqVjMjrXtFUWMBeEkx1icmD0wfqqvHgQ5793eijKSes7eD8Xe7w-CcUlM_3HsWV8eRUgFGntZW6s8QhV/s320/0521131856-00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Etsy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I finally have one! I've wanted one since they were popular some time ago. I just think they look so elegant! I just need a nice lace capelet or collar to wear under it. I bought this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/111331329/sale-10-off-brown-fur-collar?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
**Wigs**</div>
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Surprise! I bought some wigs! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002011175800183_zps13c3d9b6.gif" /> <a href="http://rikku.se/" target="_blank">Rikku</a> did a review on a wig she bought from an <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/aliveit/womens-wigs-/_i.html?rt=nc&_fsub=1958558018&_sid=711400748&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1513&_pgn=2" target="_blank">Ebay shop</a>, and at their low prices, I figured, why not give it a try? They're all in dark brown, which I've decided is part of my motif, lol. Other colors look really nice, but I just love the mood that dark hair brings. I just love being a brunette!<br />
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Of course, the fibers are shiny, however, the quality is quite good, and the wigs are pretty well made especially for the price. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/image3436031.gif" /> A few bits of hair came out from the bob, but nothing that caused any bald spots (and I used the pieces to test their heat resistance). It looks really sleek and nice. This one is my favorite wig.<br />
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The curly wig is pretty good. There isn't much to say about it, except that I've come to the conclusion that curly hair will always look a little messy once out of the bag, lol.<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/49a08cf762f49c68208f27332cdae9f635530cba.gif" /><br />
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The full wig is the longest, far longer than I even expected. But it had a really terrible smell! I had to leave it out for a few days to air out. I didn't have this problem with the curly one, though the bob had a little bit of a plastic smell. Well, regardless of the smell, it's pretty cute! I have plans to style it a bit, since it's got such a nice texture and it's so full looking.<br />
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**More clothes!**</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5vsgKMAie736os9wW0tkUqZ1D_krVhGsCz0V0FWIHfiAgNBXV0W1sDXn6oNUNIlt_N7jQtkug9An0XIVYN8zzWqQw3NGnLMrsf3ryD65YCy8HC7JMqW9g0SSlHgFnZton3fPK4p9vArU/s1600/0505130227-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5vsgKMAie736os9wW0tkUqZ1D_krVhGsCz0V0FWIHfiAgNBXV0W1sDXn6oNUNIlt_N7jQtkug9An0XIVYN8zzWqQw3NGnLMrsf3ryD65YCy8HC7JMqW9g0SSlHgFnZton3fPK4p9vArU/s320/0505130227-00.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Francesca's</td></tr>
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Okay, can I just say, I <i>love </i>these items? <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/7a2ab946ec2fe9e9d884efc478a5e9f4e3fe5030.gif" /> I know, I know, I've said that about a lot of things, lol. These tops are just too darling, I want to wear them all the time, especially the beige one! They also layer perfectly with each other. They were having a buy one, get one half off that day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQIeA62g8pGWdHUhR5oqDmY182iRGpZH4eELvaVghbZvOka-MIhX3eFed8PvufvuYE6Itg1WfpCvx4e6O7lkDF7cfs2TUKnAeSCCFk2wbkHQiUPr9zYhRqrLJqt_z5n0aDyjGVU5VibE6/s1600/0505130238-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQIeA62g8pGWdHUhR5oqDmY182iRGpZH4eELvaVghbZvOka-MIhX3eFed8PvufvuYE6Itg1WfpCvx4e6O7lkDF7cfs2TUKnAeSCCFk2wbkHQiUPr9zYhRqrLJqt_z5n0aDyjGVU5VibE6/s320/0505130238-00.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Forever 21</td></tr>
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This skirt is just all of the love I have. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/10146310291_s.gif" /> I have wanted a pleated skirt like this since I first saw <a href="http://blog.crooz.jp/satomiik/" target="_blank">Satomin</a> wearing one. Then I saw them everywhere on <a href="http://codenote.jp/" target="_blank">Codenote</a>, and I think even <a href="http://blog.crooz.jp/croozrieblog/" target="_blank">Okarie</a> had one. I wanted one in pink, and of course, that's the one color that was unavailable whenever I finally did find one of these skirts.... But I found one! When I saw it, I basically made a beeline for it immediately. The top from F21, however, I should have been more careful of, lol. It looked better on the rack, and I would have tried it on, but I was with my friend, and I didn't really want to make her wait, so I just bought it. When I got home, I ripped one of the seams while trying it on, so I didn't think I could return it. It's kind of flimsy feeling, and it definitely requires a new ribbon than the really cheap one they provided. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a79b0f463e1b2664d3520093958e5a7243f512ec.gif" /> I'm sure I can make it work eventually, but I didn't spend much on it either way. The skirt more than makes up for it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VqEVrEaJYmzuboFp9jKN0H8scdznutnlxoFeLBR6bdy2ufFOhoh6sOU4QS5k1j92R1mZjSYL-e2a-vgAR8f4XMlXMZvzWAkU2Y6PPPoge6sfetnwZzKzTxLIndsSnK58nJhbNFuuZQtZ/s1600/0505130233-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VqEVrEaJYmzuboFp9jKN0H8scdznutnlxoFeLBR6bdy2ufFOhoh6sOU4QS5k1j92R1mZjSYL-e2a-vgAR8f4XMlXMZvzWAkU2Y6PPPoge6sfetnwZzKzTxLIndsSnK58nJhbNFuuZQtZ/s320/0505130233-00.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Target</td></tr>
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These are a little more recent. I wanted a less bulky sweater to wear when I'm indoors (since it's hot out now, so everyone pumps the A/C to astronomical levels), and of course, it had to be neutral to match my color scheme. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/984693.gif" /> I tried it on, and it looked really good. It was only once I got home that I discovered it was a size XXL. Man, I wonder how small the small size is.... The blazer I bought on sale for $10! It's a medium, but I really liked the shape of it on me. I need to find a bigger button for it though, because it keeps unbuttoning, lol. And the shorts are actually as size large... in children's sizes.... <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002011034295203.gif" /> I'm embarrassed to know that I have the figure of a 12 year old. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/mm2.gif" /> But I really liked these shorts. It does mean I have another section of the store I can shop at. It's still really embarrassing though.... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHANwmv3-NuCpsHigf1MUz7suZR0hqcRdTw9YiE0GqP1CULJG7jut1pco1FX6q3EChw_4OaePT6zl4rObsNIRelHSi5bIcTBgTd-f6-_exK-zlk0SSVI2iFSaXNyf8V_R7IT8SOHmsX_sd/s1600/0521131753-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHANwmv3-NuCpsHigf1MUz7suZR0hqcRdTw9YiE0GqP1CULJG7jut1pco1FX6q3EChw_4OaePT6zl4rObsNIRelHSi5bIcTBgTd-f6-_exK-zlk0SSVI2iFSaXNyf8V_R7IT8SOHmsX_sd/s320/0521131753-00.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Love Culture</td></tr>
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These items are very new, just bought them a couple days ago. First, I am in love with this store. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/8d7073858c0a9684a3e73edaa65aeff95e422456.gif" /> I mean, I think I wanted, like, 85% of the store. I had only gone through the first section, and I had seven things I wanted to try. In fact, it's only because they didn't look right on me that I didn't spend as much as I could have. Anyway, more and more tops. I finally have a cute neutral top to wear under my sheer items (which now composes much of my wardrobe since sheer is in for spring, I guess...) so I don't have to wear the other one over and over. The other items are just lace, lace, and more lace! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/632609.gif" /> The cardigan is actually too small on me, but I couldn't find any others, and it was really cute (and only $8). I just can't button the top button, lol. Otherwise, everything else is just really cute stuff with really good prices and great quality. I'll be returning soon! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a60ed8cb6c1e2bd2053403c1ccb9a1fbed833382.gif" /><br />
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I now have a wardrobe that makes it impossible not to look good. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/c726dd553d3f7039cf2d7d82fa0a0757a23d61b9.gif" /> Even if I fall back on a 'T-shirt and jeans' coordinate, my shirts and jeans are all so cute that it'll look like I tried. It's a really good feeling to see so much progress being made at once. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002011042100512.gif" /> I'm getting closer to that "Vintage Princess" look I've been striving for. To be honest, I thought it would take forever to get here!<br />
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I was planning on posting some coordinates using my new things, but I think this post has gone on long enough. Besides, now that I have some new things, I can come up with even more ideas, even including my older purchases! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2ac0d88622cea99820b1e273a6c7d92a989261a7.gif" /> And now that I've posted everything I've got, I can finally start posting regular stuff again (I've been holding off so I wouldn't delay this post any longer).<br />
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Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-83426575105670513882013-04-09T18:48:00.001-05:002013-05-23T01:25:58.046-05:00Shopping Spree! (Part 1 - The Clothes *Pic Heavy*)Hello all~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/55238dd87e2603f6910e0e784224b429a8458c69.gif" /><br />
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I've gone away again, lol. I've been distracted~! I really only kept up with my main blogs (though I never commented, and I totally should have) and read my comments (I read them all!). I'm getting back into ball joint dolls, and I just bought one with the intention of buying another, so I've been hanging out on Den of Angels, lol. The plan is to make a pair of my own Gyaru dolls! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/f6a28d81e83e52db66318ef60725a5ed16f3b25a.gif" /> But I've managed to pull myself away from my excitement to finally finish this post I've been wanting to finish since... last month? <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/aed3e571d9fdc342c61924cdcabeab4f73568c30_zps75143640.gif" /> <br />
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Anyway, I've been shopping! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/1ac48d0b0eb3f9ebdc9d32ea54d1dcb0f9f40391_zps22d5dd94.gif" /><br />
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I got my tax refund~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/ab85928966e316d071eaef4f886668b5f689d67f.gif" /> It was quite a bit! Immediately, I used it to pay off the shipping for my Liz Lisa trunk.<br />
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But something happened when I got it. It ended up changing my priorities. See, I was thinking about saving up to go to Japan for next year, but getting my new clothing and making so much progress in my fashion really made me happy. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m8doz9e3qE1qb1380.gif" /> I started thinking, why was I originally going to Japan? To get more clothing, mostly. Yeah, I wanted to check out the sights and whatnot, but more than anything, I was going at that specific time because I wanted to get a bunch of fukubukuro from the source. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/10e4047c2339238de126615010b6f10c3489f7d8.gif" /><br />
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In the end, I decided I would postpone the trip (and maybe I could go with someone else then), and I would focus on expanding my wardrobe as well as defining my new fashion direction (which I've done a lot of work on both!) and working on my hobbies. <br />
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So no Japan for me too soon, but I'm not sad at all. Like I said, I made a lot of progress! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m337rokmmN1qid2nw.gif" /><br />
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And speaking of that progress, I ended up buying <i>A LOT</i> of things. Not only did I get my trunk, I finally found a pair of low heeled oxfords in dark brown, I bought a ton of leggings, lots of accessories, and a few extra pieces of clothing, including some lovely casual dresses~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/b411f03adf9da32d822cf453f777aa0438630d08.gif" /><br />
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I've got a lot of photos to show you, so I'm going to divide the posts into two. This one is for the clothing. If you want to see my accessories, check out my next post (I wrote these at the same time, so you won't even have to wait long!)<br />
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First things first, I bought a new phone! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3bd6453a67ccc728f20ea8d7d377873e792063e4.gif" /> I really needed to upgrade from my little flip phone of decades past, as not only was it really difficult to text with, the battery life was pretty low from being recharged so often, and the back had broken, so it wouldn't close completely. This new one looks so fancy and 2011-ish, lol. It also has a pretty nice camera, so it'll be easier to take pictures. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/0b0b3638f2ba9fdce477daa97d319166ee6fff14.gif" /> In fact, I took all of these pictures using my phone! Unfortunately, they don't make hard cases for it yet, so I can't deco it yet. I can come up with ideas in the meantime, and hopefully they'll make something.<br />
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Anyway, let's start with my Liz Lisa trunk!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>First off, my trunk is <i>adorable</i>!<br />
Yes, it's pink, but it's that vintage look and the scalloped edges that really get me. I wish I could have more of these!<br />
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It's even lined nicely! <br />
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**The clothes!**<br />
Unfortunately, my curiosity got the best of me, and I ended up looking up reveals while I waited for my refund. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/mm2.gif" /> Turns out, they revealed what would be inside the trunks on the very website itself! I was a little worried, because many of the items, I didn't think I would like. Fortunately, I was super surprised once I got to see them in person~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_ln63c1JGTs1qdlkyg_zps8c10247c.gif" /><br />
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**Coat**<br />
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Okay, let me tell you, I <b><i>love </i></b>this coat. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/498bdecdc8c58ccbfb6b42f7d8847c0dcfd7a75f.gif" /> I feel like such a princess when I wear it. Apparently, it wasn't to a lot of people's tastes? Ah well, I think it's absolutely lovely, and it kept me nice and warm during all the snowy weather we had in February. Oh, and the fur collar is detachable!<br />
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**Sweaters**<br />
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Okay, I love these sweaters~! Not only are they soft, they're really warm. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002011024453645.gif" /> I especially like the color block one. It's a little bulky, but it's so cute! It's great as an off-the-shoulder type, or a boat neck. <br />
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**Onepiece**<br />
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At first, I didn't think I would like this dress, because I already have a pink floral dress with short sleeves. But while they have some similarities, they ended up quite different.<br />
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Oh, and the front actually opens! The buttons on the front (if you can actually see them, lol) aren't just for show! I really like this dress. But it's pretty close in the chest. I'm not sure if all of their close fitting tops/dresses are similar, but if they are and they aren't stretchy, you may have trouble wearing them if you're over 32in in the bust.<br />
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Also, it's short, lol. If you're taller than 5'4", you might want to get some shorts or add on another skirt underneath. It looks fine on me when I'm standing, but should I bend over, I'd be giving everyone a peek, lol. <br />
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**Tops**<br />
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The blouse has to be my absolute favorite. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010256598397.gif" /> I wish I could wear it with everything! It's sheer, and I can wear it in so many different ways.<br />
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The tank top fits pretty well, which I was worried about that. The arm holes are pretty small though, but aren't uncomfortably positioned. It's really sheer too, for some reason. I have to wear a nude tank top under it, lol.<br />
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The T-shirt was another item I didn't think I would like, but once I coordinated it, it looked pretty good. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m9xokleeTL1qid2nw.gif" /> I wish the neck was a little smaller though, but it's good for casual wear. Also, the back is sheer too! What's with all the sheer in the tops? <br />
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**Bottoms**<br />
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The only disappointing ones. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/image8964736.gif" /> First off, the white one doesn't really seem like a dress, but more like an under skirt or some sort. I would have liked it more if the tulle on top was longer and didn't reveal the shorts underneath! And the fabric feels really cheap. Maybe I can add a lace trim to the end? It would have been nice to wear underneath a long sweater.<br />
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And while the beige skirt looks really nice, it just doesn't hang right on me. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/4913f1146f4da55b89aac257f382f656170f9e4f.gif" /> First off, my hips are 34 inches. Even though it has elastic around it, the way they sewed it, only the waist part stretched, and there was a weird seam that they overlocked in that kept it from actually stretching to fit. I could barely put it on! In the end, I think I broke a few threads just to get it to slip on, but even then, it just didn't look right on me, and I'm not sure why. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/546603cb3bb19ebe75a83cd66d61f0e10bb049b4.gif" /> I feel like it hangs like all of my other dresses.... I'm wondering if it's just that I haven't found a good way to coordinate it? <br />
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I also got a fuzzy bag with my trunk, though I have no idea what to do with it, lol.<br />
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Well, that was my Liz Lisa pack, but that's not all I got! Once I got the pack, I stopped by Target after work. Originally, the plan was to get a nice pair of skinny jeans, but I was in luck with all of the wonderful things they had, not only in their jeans section, but in their sale sections!<br />
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**Jeans**<br />
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I love love love the light blue ones! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/94dedfa9ee936b22aa7f28a5ec0d9157e04bc509.gif" /> They make my legs look amazing, and they go with all of my Liz Lisa stuff. Also, I can't believe they were long enough! Usually, I have to get the long versions of pants (if I'm lucky enough to find a brand that has those), or go a size up and wear a belt. But if I did that, it would defeat the purpose of skinny jeans, lol.<br />
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The shorts stole my heart though. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/e1839a5dc3e97a1439b8ad1b9b4ec25e.gif" /> The lace flower panels are just gorgeous! I can't wait until the temperature goes up a bit, so I could pair these up with some cute leggings.<br />
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I really only got the dark pair so that I could have another pair of jeans, lol. I can't just wear the light blue ones, I guess (even though they look so good!) I bought them in the same size and fit as the light blue, but for some reason, they're really tight! I don't particularly love them, but they were the best of the dark jeans that were there. I probably should have checked out Old Navy or something, lol.<br />
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**Skirts**<br />
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Here come the sale items from Target. I guess they were for the autumn season, since these were 30% off. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/414a46be6e9861f13eec1355f62a4b474371bab7.gif" /> I thought they were maxi dresses, actually, until I tried them on and realized they were asymmetrical. They're really cute, and I just need some more blouses and some belts for them! When I finally get that receptionist job, I'm going to be so prepared! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/9b04160c4b8528b8230b1f79a0ca55411bd6a2c8.gif" /><br />
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Then, in mid April, I randomly stopped by Kohl's. I finally found a cute lace skirt! It fits well as its own skirt, and looks good under my baggy sweaters too! It's really soft and comfortable too~! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m9xoh2LTqg1qid2nw.gif" /><br />
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**Dress**<br />
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Okay, I love this striped dress. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/16af29cfc55b0b4a6fcbb3faa9f8c39cf18a5873_zps07e5b0d2.gif" /> In fact, I fell for it the second I saw it. I found it at Target, and it was the last one in my size. When I tried it on, it fit like a dream! Really, it feels like they got my measurements and made this dress for me. I can wear it casually, or even dress it up a bit! It's really comfortable, and it was 30% off! <br />
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The second one is from Kohl's. It's absolutely cute, but I'm really paranoid about strapless dresses, lol. Still, it looks so good on me, I might be willing to take the risk, and I guess if it's just too much for me to worry about, I can wear a top under it. I want this to be my "little black dress". I'm glad I decided to try it out, because I almost walked past it since it was strapless!<br />
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Finally, the last one is the dress I bought from Amordress! It's really cute, but wide in the waist, so it has no shape on me (since I don't have hips, lol). I need to take it in a bit, and once I do, it'll be perfect! It's also strapless, lol. I can't stay away from strapless dresses or high heeled shoes....<br />
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Anyway, I'll be getting to work finishing up the next post~! Stay tuned!Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-68904638281836337822013-02-03T23:42:00.000-06:002013-02-03T23:43:49.822-06:002013!Hello everyone~! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/c007f415deb5e35682d09ceed3362fd021ab206f_zpse1fd7f27.gif" /><br />
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It's been a while! I've been working/sleeping lately.... I'm so exhausted these days. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/0fe10ca112ad4bbbfaee50e71c9fc2284a463883.gif" /> I think it's because I haven't been active like I've been. But, I've got 2 days off, so I guess now's as good a time as ever to talk about what's been going on in the past couple of months with me! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002012238500561_zpsea2788e2.gif" /><br />
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Christmas! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/654635c358d50272dbfef3d66b29e40c06a0fcc4.gif" /><br />
First off, a very belated happy holidays to everyone, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_mecjctDaJE1qdlkyg_zpsdfa2e037.gif" /> As usual, I celebrated on Christmas Eve, and I got a fur hat, a gas card, a homemade sweater, and some money. The next day, I got my "special occasion" dress for my wishlist:<br />
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I discovered it on a lovely Etsy shop called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Amordress" target="_blank">Amordress</a>, and I couldn't stop staring at it, so come Christmas day, I took advantage of the 10% off sale and bought it! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/866bd55c83083283821de6c6a2296f81807b5e67_zpsc92e0872.gif" /> It came in, and it's absolutely lovely! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a3b38246ce1d4585559959de47f502dbf3dcce1d.gif" /> It'll be a bit longer before I can get my Liz Lisa trunk (I spent a good deal of the rest of my money on later adventures that I will talk about), so it was great to see one of my gifts in person sooner. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002011346201687_zps86894c41.gif" /><br />
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New Years! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/16196cbb1a54334e029f970bdf49d0c9da187cf4_zps9c077c4c.gif" /><br />
For New Year's Eve, some friends and I went to the new Dave and Busters! I last went officially for Halloween (a couple friends and I went as characters from the Resident Evil 1 game, and we made references the whole time!). <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/tumblr_lt9nl1ZvNQ1qcfn0j.gif" /> This year, I got to hang out with my friend Tara for a bit. We played a ton of Pump It Up, because people kept putting their money in the machine, but not figuring out how to start it, so they would leave, lol.<br />
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Fashion! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/f676897acd3a224855815700b8b30a36ac77f941_zps27876269.gif" /><br />
I haven't been practicing my makeup much (I'm running low on my BB cream, and I'm not sure what I should try next), but when I do, I'm usually able to get the effect I want. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/38e672d970d5a7c69b63d07eefa9a5d66ff726e3.gif" /> I've also been working on my beginner wardrobe wishlist. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/108893_zps2fd0b25a.gif" /> As I've mentioned, the dress above will be my "special occasion" dress, but since I don't really have too many special occasions to deal with, I've decided to make it my "Star Attraction" dress, for when I really want to pull out all of the stops. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3751642d6b180c4c307e81133429f9df1a6af822.gif" /> I've found a few items that I want to go with it AND that will go with anything else that I want for my wishlist. I've also narrowed the definition of my fashion sense a little more, and have decided that I will go into Retro Gyaru, since it seems most of the dresses and things I like from major brands like Liz Lisa and Jesus Diamante are the styles that borrow heavily from the 40's through early 60's (and 20's style gowns), and classic Lolita is one of my biggest influences. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/tumblr_m42zyzL2Pr1qdlkyg_zps67b770ea.gif" /> I've even developed a minor obsession for hats like fascinators (that is, the more elegant ones as opposed to the crazy, elaborate ones, lol) and pillbox hats. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%202/df03be60318058c17456d93636cf94a6162ab327.gif" /> BUT, I still really love the big Hime hair and dramatic eyes and pearls and flowers.... So... Retro Hime style? That's a thing now, I made it a thing if it wasn't already. I'm currently creating an outline for what I want my style to consist of.<br />
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Me! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/o0020002010852351829_zps46c4da7f.gif" /><br />
I'm still me. Maybe? Maybe not. I've grown a bit since last year. I've certainly learned a lot about myself in the past year. This is something I hope to continue into this year as well. I want to focus on how I interact with others. In the past few months, I've actually gained a few new friends and opened up a little more. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3152410.gif" /> I'm always inside of my head when it comes to interactions rather than actually enacting them, because I'm always practicing what to say in different situations so I won't make a fool of myself, so I'm always surprised when people act differently from the way I've imagined them. I find people really interesting. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/011184ced6ae0b36e8a2ce3f574e662d.gif" /> I would also like to focus on making friends with myself. Being thin has always been a bit of a mixed bag for me, mostly being negative. Growing up, I was taught that "real women have curves," so I always believed that I could never be pretty or feminine because I didn't have them. I never felt like a gorgeous, thin model, I always felt like a gangly, flat-chested freak. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/image8964736.gif" /> I feel like guys don't look at me, because I don't have the big breasts or round hips that are popular. But I don't want to feel that way anymore. I don't have to love what I am, but I should accept myself. After all, I have to be me 100% of the time. I've developed a bit of a system. Whenever I start looking down on myself, I imagine myself talking down to my 12 year-old self. My 12 year-old self was already really confused by why so many kids her age were telling her she wasn't pretty or "developed" enough and why she couldn't just be herself, so to imagine myself yelling at her for the same reasons, it not only makes me feel terrible, but I start to encourage her instead. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/024_000146.gif" /><br />
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Anyway, I hope I can write entries with more substance in the future, lol. Thank you all so much for sticking with me in the past few years, and I hope you'll continue to stay even in this year. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/ee63c3e46ac0b6aa27daeee9eb60123775eed1dd_zpsadfa787d.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010849740801.gif" /><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons%203/ee63c3e46ac0b6aa27daeee9eb60123775eed1dd_zpsadfa787d.gif" /><br />
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Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-43615137368257803732012-12-07T10:50:00.002-06:002012-12-07T10:50:36.358-06:00Building a WardrobeHello all~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/tumblr_m8doz9e3qE1qb1380.gif" /><br />
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Sorry I've been away these days. I've been working on a new layout for this blog, and I wanted to come back when it was finished, but it's taking longer than I hoped. But I really felt like posting, so I guess the big reveal will happen later! <br />
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Guys, I've been feeling a little down lately. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/ca703a76890bf7e2a2d34f43ec7f79a80cc1cad1.gif" /><br />
It feels like everyone and their dog is buying a thousand-some pieces for their Gyaru wardrobe and leaving me in the dust.<br />
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Due to a new monetary obligation <span style="font-size: xx-small;">and my own inability to save money</span>, I haven't touched my clothing wishlist. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a5309f84aa437ad7f7ab63e6c89f08324f580691.gif" /> Sure, I still look at all the pretty clothing as they come and go on Yumetenbo and mbok, but I always feel so guilty for not jumping on them when I could have. I've missed out on so many things, so I feel like a bad Hime because I'm not making much progress when it feels like it's so easy for everyone else.... <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/9fd90f7b744408f51a59ac32d7f3c5d78e08761e.gif" /><br />
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For those of you who don't know me yet, I love me some plans! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/0966577e30a9d39a88d13abe00f642ad8ca56cde.gif" /> I love making them, I love enacting them.... I recently got a planner in hopes of it helping me save better for a (hopeful) trip to Japan next year for my birthday, but because it's November and I can't use it until January of next year, I've started writing Post-It notes about what I plan to do in each of the sections. Yes, I've made plans on how to use my planner when I plan to use it next year. I'm on the fast track to <i>cool</i>! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/65efc5656d86da6f5a220f30a5597be99b44877d.gif" /><br />
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So you'll imagine my surprise and my subsequent delight when I came across <a href="http://fyeahlolita.blogspot.com/2012/05/building-complete-lolita-wardrobe.html" target="_blank">this article</a>. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/7a2ab946ec2fe9e9d884efc478a5e9f4e3fe5030.gif" /> You see, it's been a bit of a struggle for me to determine where to start with my wardrobe. I've added some shirts and a couple of dresses, but it doesn't really feel like much, it's not nearly enough to go full on Hime more than twice a month, and it's definitely nothing that can be mixed and matched among each other. I've been looking for a good basis, but I wasn't really sure what it would be. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/23c07f9bfed611db21cf271d2feed4d251c4fb17.gif" /> There's so many cute things that trigger my "Waaaaaant!!!" switch, but before I can even think of hitting the 'Buy it Now' button, I can't even think of what I'd wear with the item. Then I realize I might have to buy a whole new set of clothing to go with said item. Which means I have to find other things to go with the new stuff that I bought to go with the first item! It's so overwhelming and confusing for me, and I don't want to end up with a bunch of things I can either only pair with a couple things, or, worse yet, things I can't wear with anything else! If I can't find a reason to wear something, I won't wear it!<br />
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Now, the article is specifically about building a Lolita wardrobe, but honestly, it can be tailored to fit any alternative fashion. Maybe instead of dresses, you need certain kinds of pants, or maybe you don't require hair accessories. As for me, instead of a pannier, I added a section for pants and shorts. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/jeans.gif" /><br />
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Hopefully, my fukubukuro from <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/5936244a4f3055c3a739d52df03244d83e56b8f9.gif" /> went through. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/10e4047c2339238de126615010b6f10c3489f7d8.gif" /> I ordered the trunk, so I'll be getting 10 new pieces to my collection~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a719df827cce51da0e1b1427b3c483b59a4d8089.gif" /> Or at least, I really hope so. It wouldn't let me use my card, so I had to use the Tenso shopping service, and they couldn't get back to me until Monday night. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010956056983.gif" /> The next evening, the trunk sold out, and I don't know when it happened, so I'm constantly checking my mail to see if they'll send my money back. They haven't yet, and I'm hoping they won't! It would be an excellent start for my collection, especially because chances are high that the clothing will be in pink, brown, and cream, which is the color scheme I've decided to start with. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002011077743585.gif" /><br />
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On a slightly related note, starting on my birthday (which just happens to be when I get my first check after Christmas), I'll be saving up for my trip to Japan. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/5ad39931e86c75e00c117a4c4b9aeb8fce377eb2.gif" /> My plan is to go around December 29th, 2013 (originally, I wanted to go on my birthday, but that would mean I'd have to come back January 2nd, which is when all the sales go up, and I really want to be there for New Year's Eve too). <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/3dadb967e671cb72978974e3a55087193b33979b.gif" /> While I haven't started on too many plans involving accommodations (probably a hostel though) or any sort of itinerary besides hitting the sales on the 2nd, I'm sure I'll come up with something as I go along. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/183885b0273935f9be65ba53472e41b90a6d1dbb.gif" /> It'll be my first time outside of the country and my first time to Japan, so I think I'll stay in one place this time. That's why I really want to start my wardrobe this year. For the next year, I'm planning on only buying one piece of clothing per month, since I won't have as much money to play around with. I've done the math, and as long as my hours don't drastically get cut, I can spare the money needed for the trip, pay for my gas and credit card (it might be a little tighter come summer when gas prices rise), buy a bit of food, and still have some money to spare for my trip. I'll just have to hunker down and lower my spending on random things. I think I can do this. <br />
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I'll continue to work on my blog in the meantime.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/e8ce4ea367ad288ae8691209d6778c3898a7778b.gif" />Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-13816612589553102392012-10-20T22:39:00.000-05:002012-10-20T22:39:31.171-05:00Metal X Hostess Style??Hello all~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002010256598397.gif" /><br />
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Have you ever heard of the band <a href="http://aldious.jp/" target="_blank">Aldious</a>?<br />
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I'm not big into Japanese music, really. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/23b1ecdf063739e786e01832be56ef0337acee56.gif" /><br />
In fact, most of my knowledge of it comes from DDR songs, lol. Besides Maximum the Hormone, I've never listened to a full album from any particular artist.<br />
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But, while thumbing through an issue of KERA (which I've never seen at Mitsuwa until today), I noticed an interesting photo of girls dressed like hostesses that you'd see in an issue of Ageha, but everyone was holding instruments. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/afa70b86136e26121859aa444113110156fa80e6.gif" /><br />
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I was intrigued, so I decided to do a bit of research.<br />
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Turns out Aldious is an all-girl metal band.<br />
An all-girl -<i>METAL</i>- band!<br />
Hair swinging, fast drumming, metal rock music! It blew my mind! <a href="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/54473b55b42b1253ca114bd6317c928de1f08799.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/54473b55b42b1253ca114bd6317c928de1f08799.gif" style="cursor: move;" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need this dress in order to stay alive.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ameblo.jp/tokidious" target="_blank">Toki</a> is my favorite, and I bet you can't guess at all why. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/46f48aca0bbff6681fffe438488e2a6eca9f6c67.gif" /><br />
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Then again, I also like <a href="http://ameblo.jp/sawadious" target="_blank">Sawa</a>, because I have an affinity towards bassists (I used to imagine myself as a bassist in a famous band who wore really fancy clothing, like, 7 years ago, lol) <br />
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They're kind of a new inspiration to me, lol.<br />
They get all dressed up and rock out. Just earlier today, I was thinking about getting all my makeup on and putting my hair pieces in, and going out for a bit, but I decided not to, because it seemed way too extravagant for a trip to the mall and whatnot (even if it is the 10th biggest mall in the US, lol). I should just have fun and let loose. I mean, I'm always waiting for the proper occasion to do my thing... and when exactly *is* that occasion? Only when I've got a lot of Hime clothes? Only when I'm wearing a fancy dress? When I'm going somewhere important? When I'm meeting someone?<br />
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Anyway, check them out if you get the chance. I like their music, but even if you don't like that genre, you can always mute it and look at the pretty images. Well, between them thrashing their hair about, lol. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/5502e89de44c5775d6cdbab20003627fef793212.gif" />Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-3408015020030180412012-10-12T21:13:00.000-05:002012-10-12T21:21:21.527-05:00Quarterlife CrisisI'm having one! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/288cacee5ed5c92c34d5a40e61e15eeb95833da3.gif" /><br />
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As I mentioned in my last post, I've recently had the strongest desire to just change everything. Well, mostly everything. I'm still liking Hime-kei so far, lol.<br />
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Thursday after work, I had the sudden urge to go to Barnes and Noble. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/0c1880ebc28c5f4c37e2388bd282793e4bcfdd27.gif" /> I have no idea what made me want to go, just that I was in the area while running an errand, and could really have used a book, I guess. So I headed on over.<br />
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My usually hang-outs are in the How To Draw section and the Personal Health sections, where I usually check out the books they have about skin care and makeup. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/470244.gif" /> I read a very interesting book about makeup that doesn't just talk about how to apply the makeup but some tips on how to work on your own self-esteem. Much of it, I already knew, but it was good to have it reiterated as lately I've been slacking on positive thinking. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/546603cb3bb19ebe75a83cd66d61f0e10bb049b4.gif" /> It was pretty nice, though I didn't feel the need to buy it. Maybe some other time, as it did have a very interesting section on wearing makeup depending on the mood you want to portray, and I wonder if it can help me even in my own style. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/287802844fde0126799789805c4ffaed4a6aecdf.gif" /><br />
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Anyway, as I was making my way to the art section, I passed the Self Help section. I'm usually always trying to solve problems myself, since I don't really feel like my friends can be of help with the things I'm dealing with, and I'm never sure how to express what I mean to my mom so I don't feel like she understands where I am. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/34.gif" /> It's really difficult, because you only know what you know. I can come to all sorts of conclusions, but in the end, I'm only relying on my own opinions as to why things happen the way they do, and even if what I'm thinking is solid, there's so many other opinions and ideas that can change the situation completely. So I figured, it might be nice to see if there's a book about the issues I'm dealing with that might give me a new insight. What caught my eye was a book called The Go-Girl Guide, which deals with the issues that come up once you're in your 20s. It's over a decade old (and you can tell, because they mention stuff like "Ally McBeal", lol), but the information is still quite helpful. Did you know that we usually have one more growth spurt in our mid-twenties? It's probably why my skin has been breaking out more than ever lately, like I'm going through puberty again (or it could just be stress).<br />
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2012 has been a pretty big year for me. I got a new job that actually gives me hours, and I got to make some progress in my fashion. For the first time, not only did I gather up the courage to talk to someone I was interested in, I gave him my number and even went out on a few dates. I went on my first real date ever! Things haven't been perfect, I'm not where I wish I was, and there are many things that didn't quite pan out the way I hoped, but I've accomplished so much more than I ever thought I could. Some people probably think things like that are no big deal, but for me, it's a real victory. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/2424d5d4f6e24ca045a9f945a3ed40db545dfbf8.gif" /><br />
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But there's still work to be done. I'm still unsure of who I am or who I want to be. This doesn't just mean what I want my occupation to be, but who I really want to be as a person, and where I want to go with my life. I've spent many years conforming to the identities that everyone else gave me, so now that I'm trying to make my own, I'm a little lost and confused, but most of all, scared. But I have to think about it now, because I'm getting older and older, and at a certain point, my personality will be pretty much cemented in place.<br />
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I feel like time is running out. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/xmarie5.gif" /><br />
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It's not that 30 is the end of the world, or even close to the end of my life, or fun, or anything like that.<br />
But it kind of feels like at age 30, if I haven't started on my dreams, I never will. I envy so many people who seem like they're on the path towards their goals, when I'm in the mud, spinning my wheels in place. <br />
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I have so much to think about....<br />
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I've asked my mom for advice. She asked me what I really wanted. At first, I said, financial security. I didn't want to worry about how I was going to take care of myself, so she told me that I should focus on that. But when I thought about that, it made me really sad. When I thought about it more, it wasn't financial security that I ultimately wanted. I never saw myself making explicitly making lots of money. When I thought of my future, I was living comfortably, making things for my future ball joint doll shop. I knew the 'shoulds' in life, but what about what I really want? I don't want to neglect myself just to do what I "should" be doing. How can anyone but me even determine what I really "should" do?<br />
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So.<br />
As of now, I think I want to go back to school. I want to double major in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising (which will involve taking some business classes, which is pretty cool). Now don't get me wrong. I haven't hit the Enroll Now button or anything, lol. In fact, I won't be planning anything for at least a year, as I have a lot more to do and a lot more to think about and plan. Before I go to college, I want to go to Japan, because I want to go before I turn 30 and definitely before I have a billion other things I need to pay for (like college!).<br />
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I... don't really know why I'm telling you all this, lol. I just really wanted to.<br />
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I've since bought a couple more books, another (more recent) book about dealing with a quarter-life crisis, and a really interesting book about shortcuts you can take to save money (what really caught my attention is the section on simple exercises to do while lying around in bed) as well as some tips for life. Sometimes, in order to learn something, you've got to study, lol.<br />
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Maybe in the year or so, I'll change my mind and decide to focus on a career anyway, I don't know. But for a long time, I've been looking at the destination, and I haven't even really thought about the path there or what to do once I arrive. Perhaps it's time to find out what truly makes me happy, and maybe enjoy a few new experiences along the way.<br />
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It's a good thing I'm doing this all now, instead of when I'm 45, buying a sports car and dating some 19 year old who's clearly no good for me, lol.<br />
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Anyway, as I mentioned up above (and if you read that, thank you so much~), my skin broke out terribly. I had acne and cystic acne, and it was like I struck oil all over my face! I've been using St. Ive's Apricot Scrub, but I haven't seen any results. Then it hit me. If I need a scrub, can't I just use sugar and my usual Noxzema deep cleanser? Ugh, I don't know why I always want to turn away from what works just to try other stuff! I did add a bit more to my arsenal though. I bought some Noxzema Anti-Blemish Pads, and I splurged on Burt's Bees Acne Solutions lotion (I used to use Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture lotion for combination skin, but it never hydrated my skin). Within a week, my skin cleared up so much! I wish I had taken a before and after photo, because the change was astounding, truly. It's a really easy to follow regimen too. I wash my face with my cream (and use sugar if I need to exfoliate), then I wipe my face with the pads, and follow up with the lotion. In the morning, I just use a pad and the lotion, and if I'm at home and my skin starts to get really oily, I just use a pad. It's probably too much for most people, especially if you're not used to using products with salicylic acid, but my skin is really strong and has been responding so wonderfully to this treatment. I need to incorporate something to lighten some marks, but for now, I'm really happy at how nice and smooth my face is!<br />
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So that means I've found a good regimen for my skin, and one for my hair. These are actually personal goals I made for myself years ago, when I was starting in this fashion. I got so focused on obtaining enough to fill my dressers and wear something cute for every season, or trying to make sure my makeup is perfect, that I've forgotten the little accomplishments like this.<br />
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I'm currently waiting for <a href="http://starreprincess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mana Starre</a>'s segment in 20/20. It's pretty cool, isn't it?Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-15055307968788651542012-09-30T23:37:00.002-05:002012-09-30T23:37:09.614-05:00Eventually Fixed with TimeHello everybody~<br />
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So, it didn't work out with that guy....<br />
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At first, I was really down, because I'm so picky, so it's near impossible for me to even get attracted to guys that don't meet my standards. Not many people can even catch my attention, let alone keep it.<br />
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So when it all fell apart, I was sitting there, wondering why I went through all of that for nothing, but more importantly, why he went with it for as long as he did! I really don't like rejection. In fact, it really terrifies me, because I'm afraid of failure. This is the sole reason why I'm a perfectionist. I felt like it was my fault that it ended, but what was worse was that I couldn't do anything to fix it. I started thinking selfish things like how I'll never find anyone who could fall for someone like me, and I tried to convince myself that I should just forget about the idea of love and only focus on achieving my goals and working, since having a boyfriend would just distract me and cause me lots of trouble. I took the failure pretty hard....<br />
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But once I stopped thinking with my bruised ego and started thinking with my heart, I thought about... well, everything. It set me on some serious introspection. Not just about why it's so difficult for me to like a guy, let alone why it feels like no one around my age seems interested in me (which probably isn't true), but on my personality, my goals, where I want to be compared to where I am, and the like. It's been a roller coaster of emotions! I've learned a lot of hard lessons, and I wish sometimes I didn't have to go through such things just to learn them. I've been feeling unsatisfied with my life. It seems my fashion choice was only the tip of the iceberg. I still feel like I'm missing a lot more and that my current personal goals aren't enough to cover it all.<br />
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Unfortunately, I'm not really sure what I'm missing, and it annoys me that I can't figure it out. I just have a restless feeling that urges me to do something, anything. Travel somewhere new or do something I wouldn't normally do, make some friends I may not have seen myself with in previous years, stuff like that.<br />
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Who would have thought getting dumped would created such an interesting chain effect, lol. <br />
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Anyway, I hope no one will badmouth him. He really did have a good reason to break it off, but ultimately, I don't think he felt I was the one for him, and at the same time, I've since realized he wasn't the one for me either. I have my own reasons as to how I've come to this conclusion, but it doesn't matter. I've learned some things about myself from the experience, and I at least enjoyed myself while it lasted. It's been 6 years since I was in any kind of relationship with a guy until him, so at the very least, I can reset the counter. He's a great person, and I really hope things work out for him.<br />
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I just wanted to talk about that, because I know some people were supporting me. Thank you so much.<br />
I'm okay, I just have a lot to think about now. It is annoying, though. It's like that really bad sore feeling you get after you exercise for the first time, except you can't ease it with a warm bath, and you wish you had started all of this forever ago, because then you would be further along and you wouldn't have to deal with it anymore.... I don't know....<br />
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Anyone entering the Kawaii International Hime-kei contest? I considered it, until I found out great Hime-Gyarus like <a href="http://snailpop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mio</a> and <a href="http://www.suiprincess.com/" target="_blank">Black-Sui</a> were entering. I just can't compare to greats like those at my current level, lol, so I decided to sit out. I have far too much improvement needed before I can even think of going up against the likes of girls like them. It did inspire me to start determining where I need more work though. I finally got some makeup, though not the wishlist stuff I originally thought of getting (I kept having second thoughts of spending so much at once, lol). I *finally* have a neutral palette that not only looks good with my skin tone, but shows off its color amazingly. I got a really nice, easy to follow tutorial in September's Ageha that I've been practicing. I need new bottom lashes, but otherwise, it's been going well. I think I'll start practicing contouring some as well. I'm making a checklist of what I feel I need in order to be the great Hime I see in my mind. I'm only at, like, 3%, so I need to see what I need to work on and what I'm lacking.<br />
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I have *so much* to work on.... I need to make another list of things I need to tackle, so I can focus on one thing at a time!Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-77887885368635987172012-08-31T11:44:00.000-05:002012-08-31T11:44:09.166-05:00These DaysHello, hello~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/a2ea38dca25c151d06a4490d09b55389ffac77d0.gif" /><br />
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Sorry I've been away for a bit, for you see, I've been dating as of late~<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/50501.gif" /><br />
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Yep, this beginner princess has spotted a potential prince! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/120974.gif" /> I won't say much on the matter, as it's still a new relationship and we're still learning about each other. But I will say this: he's <i>really cool</i>, lol.<img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/o0020002011024453645.gif" /><br />
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Anyway, I've pushed back my plans yet again, and though I was meant to buy makeup this month, because of a few extra expenses, I didn't want to risk dipping below my minimum. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/e2a3482a5101d047a1206297f056b28581f4427d.gif" /> I decided I'll go with my next paycheck, since I have to go down to Mitsuwa for the next Ageha anyway. Then again, winter clothing has been coming out these days, and they're sooooo cuuuuute~! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/dress.gif" /> I really don't know what to do, lol. I wish I could just get a nice basis down, so when new stuff comes out, it's less 'frantic rush to buy because I don't have any cute stuff for the season' and more 'just add it in as it goes'.<br />
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I've gone back into looking for a new job. I still have mine, and it's still okay, but that's just it, it's only 'okay'. I still want to try for a receptionist position. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/82983f989d894daae29e10189dd161c8276e0670.gif" /> Fortunately, I have the ability to go at my leisure, since I'm not in a mad rush or anything. A lot of really nice openings have popped up, so I'm thinking now is the time to strike. Even if I just get part time, that can help in getting the experience I need to one day go full time. <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/190e254f925eedbca855333fae7028896c3b43c7.gif" /><br />
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I got my Japanese books Saturday, and I have to say, they're doing quite well! <img border="0" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o52/aimiya/Emoticons/b411f03adf9da32d822cf453f777aa0438630d08.gif" /> For one, I finally understand what "wa" does in a sentence, lol. I've learned a few kanji as well. I haven't been able to do a lesson per day, as I've been pretty busy (which is so rare), but I'm not tired of it yet, so that's good. I think I'll be getting the next two Japanese From Zero books soon, so when I'm finished with this book, I can just go to the next (and shipping is free if you spend over $25, I believe).<br />
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Overall, these days have been really good and full of activity. I just wanted to update you all about where I've been for the past couple of weeks, lol.Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2102633610171164116.post-745149132270372642012-08-13T12:58:00.002-05:002012-08-13T17:46:47.335-05:00Liebster Blog Award!/Learning Japanese?<div style="text-align: left;">
In my last entry, I told you that I got an award from Wanda, AKA Lavenrose of <a href="http://purplesandpinks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lavender and Roses</a>. So, let's not waste time, here is my response to the questions asked, as well as 11 things about myself!<br />
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I guess here are the rules: <br />
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.</div>
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer.<br />
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<strike>3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.</strike></div>
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<strike>4. Go to their page and tell them.</strike></div>
<strike>5. Remember, no tags back!
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So, to start, here are the 11 things about myself:<br />
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1. Not since I was 17 has a person come close to guessing how old I am.<br />
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2. I <i>love </i>to plan. So much so, I actually have a plan of action on the steps I want to take towards living the princess life someday, printed out and taped onto my dresser so I can read it for inspiration.<br />
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3. Because I'm such a perfectionist, work tends to stress me out, even though I'm good at it. I always end up thinking about how to improve my skills and worrying about making too many mistakes and getting sent home or fired, lol.<br />
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4. I own an 18" Sailor Moon doll.<br />
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5. My favorite flower is the lily, because once when I was 13, there were a few tiger lilies scattered around in a vacant lot. I had never seen them before, and I thought they were so cool. The next year, they had spread all across the field. The year after, they cleared the area for new housing, but since then, lilies have always had a special place in my heart.<br />
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6. I have occasional sleep marathons, where just one day out of the month, I'll basically sleep for a whole day, only getting up for things like food or bathroom breaks. They're so refreshing, and the energetic feeling I get after one lasts for a long time.<br />
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7. I'm currently working on having a signature pose! You'd be surprised how much work I put into studying how well I look at certain angles and standing certain ways, and when I take photos of myself, I take at least 45, just so I can pick the best ones. I'm a perfectionist even in little things like this.<br />
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8.
I really don't like overly loud places. It's really overwhelming and exhausting. I always need to take a break for a bit if there's too much happening. It's the biggest reason why I could never live in the city. Too many people, it's so claustrophobic and loud!<br />
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9. One day, I would like to own a Vespa! I even found a tutorial on how to make a cute cat ear helmet, lol. I want to get it custom painted and custom upholstered and everything. I even designed a cute 60's mod style suit to wear with it sometimes. I'm currently into the LX-150, in fact.<br />
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10. I hope to also one day go to high class resorts and stay at five star hotels. Even if every other day of the year I live a perfectly normal life, every now and then, I want to go around like a celebrity and eat at an expensive restaurant or get the ultimate treatment at a spa where they wrap you in gold or something. Just have a day or a weekend where I indulge. Maybe a couple times a year.<br />
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11. Cute foods are such a huge inspiration to me! I don't know why. Maybe because I want to be both cute and sweet? Lol! I just see these cute cupcakes or cookies and whatnot, crafted with such extreme care and skill, and I think, I want to somehow embody that feeling. It's hard to explain, am I even making any sense?<br />
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And here are the questions I was asked:<br />
1. What is your favourite colour?<br />
To be honest, I can't really pick nowadays, lol. Something pastel, I guess.<br />
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2. What is your favourite food?<br />
My mom's lasagna~<br />
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3. What is the fashion style that you are currently into? <br />
Hime-kei and Hime-kaji<br />
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4. Are you content with your life right now? <br />
Hm... I can't
really say that I am just yet. However, I am content with the direction I'm
headed. It'll be some time before I can be truly satisfied with my
life, but I'll get there.<br />
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5. Have you visit an anime convention before? <br />
I have not. I'm not really sure what one is meant to do at one besides buy stuff and take pictures of cosplayers....<br />
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6. What do you do on a daily basis? <br />
If I'm not working or sleeping, I'm probably doing something with outfits, whether it's collecting more coordinates from online, putting together coordinates from what I already own, or sketching out ideas for coordinates in the future, trying to learn what has the potential to go together and also learning about how I want the fashion to fit around me. I practice wearing and walking in my heels, I look at accessories that would go with what I've got, and I practice posing in the mirror so I can properly show off all the details in an outfit. I do things like this every day so I can get better. This fashion is totally 'srs bsns' for me, lol.<br />
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7. What would be your dream pet?<br />
All dogs: a <a href="http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images21/ShikokuKenAhi1.jpg" target="_blank">Shikoku Inu</a>, a <a href="http://cdn.pedigreedatabase.com/finnish_lapphund/i/finnish_lapphund.jpg" target="_blank">Finnish Lapphund</a>, or an <a href="http://www.kikaskleekai.com/Kianaukcshow_103005.jpg" target="_blank">Alaskan Klee Kai</a>. I think I have the best chance of getting a Klee Kai, as there are some breeders here in Illinois.<br />
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8. Short or long hair?<br />
Long hair, though short hair is cute too!<br />
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9. If you were given 1 million dollars, what will you do with it?<br />
First,
I'd get an apartment! Even with $500K at an apartment that costs $1000
per month to stay in, I'd be there for a while (though I don't know why
I'd stay in a place that expensive, lol). Then I'd pay off my student loans and pay my grandma back for what she's spent on them. I'd also take a portion of
it to do whatever I need to do in order to make my dream of owning an
online shop that sells replicas of Gyaru clothing and shoes for ball joint dolls.
If I need to take classes or buy patterns or what. The obvious might
be to buy clothing or cute furniture or something, but if I'm working, I
can always save up money for things like that.<br />
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10. Have you made any major purchases lately?<br />
My last Yumetenbo order, which I made in June. I bought 4 shirts, a tank top, a pair of shoes, room wear, and 2 dresses. I loved everything I got, too!<br />
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11. If you were to dress in a drastically different style than the one that you are currently in, what would it be?<br />
Rokku-kei.
It's always been a style I've liked even since I was younger, though I never
pursued it out of fear of what my family would think. Eventually, once I feel I'm a proper Hime-Gyaru, I would like to wear that style on occasion as well. I have one full outfit I could totally do right now, lol.<br />
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I... won't be tagging anyone, lol. But I had fun. If you want to do it, I guess I can at least come up with 11 questions:<br />
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1. Where did your screen name/nickname originate from?<br />
2. What is your favorite number?<br />
3. If you were to suddenly transform into an animal based on your personality, what would you be?<br />
4. Would you rather grow wings to fly or gills to swim?<br />
5. Besides basic necessities and important people, what is something you absolutely must have in your life?<br />
6. Where is your cellphone right now? If you don't have one, where is your regular phone?<br />
7. A magical genie is giving you 3 wishes! Pretending that all of your major issues are already solved, what would you wish for?<br />
8. Are you good at keeping secrets?<br />
9. You are given the chance to live in your dream house, fully furnished to your liking at 100% no cost to you for 5 years, but in exchange, you cannot talk to other humans for 3 of those years (barring emergencies). Would you do it?<br />
10. If your life were a song title, what would it be?<br />
11. What do you like about yourself?<br />
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Enjoy! <br />
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In other news, this month was supposed to be my month for buying makeup... buuuut, I ended up being notified of something else, lol. See, on my Firefox, I have a translator application called Rikaichan that allows me to look up words in Japanese just by highlighting them. It recently updated, and on the side of the update page it loaded, it showed a list of the top 10 books on learning Japanese.<br />
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For me, learning Japanese seemed like a huge fantasy. I've tried to learn, but either the programs were more focused on teaching basic phrases that I couldn't deviate from, or contained so much grammar jargon that I couldn't even figure out the English let alone the Japanese. Whenever other people were so easily able (or so it really seemed) to speak and read Japanese, I always thought they were just good at learning languages.<br />
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I'm a 'why' person when it comes to learning. It's not nearly enough to tell me that something is, but I need to know why it is that specific way. Why did they use that word instead of that? Why is it in that order instead of something else? Things like that. But I also need it to be broken down a bit. Too much information at once overwhelms me, but I also need to know when I should stop. I mean, what if the next lesson is important to understanding the prior one? By the time I get to the end of a chapter, I'm still trying to figure out what it is that I even read....<br />
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After going through the list, I eventually chose 2 books: Japanese From Zero - Vol. 1, and Remembering the Kanji. Thanks to the ability to read a little bit of the book before buying, I could definitely convince myself to buy Remembering the Kanji. It's a really cute approach, where it shows you the kanji, tells you what it means, then gives you a little story in order to help you remember what it means. Then it shows you the stroke order so you can practice writing it yourself. It might not help me in speaking (it doesn't say what the kanji is in Japanese), but it'll definitely help with reading. As for the Japanese From Zero book, it had a lot of good reviews, many stating its user-friendliness as a key. More than anything, I feel if I can just get a foothold, a base to start everything with, anything else I learn from about it will just reinforce and elaborate on what I already know. I also liked its progressive approach to learning the Kanas, where they introduce a few at the beginning of the chapter and from then on, any Japanese words that use it will be replaced, so by the end of the book, you no longer have to rely on romanji.<br />
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I ordered them on Thursday, and they haven't shipped out yet, so I guess I'll let everyone know if these books are helpful once I go through them for a few weeks.<br />
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I still have some money left over, so by the end of the month, as long as I don't go crazy and start buying random things I don't need (like candy), I should have enough to still buy some wishlist makeup as planned.<br />
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See you next time~!<br />
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Aimiyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05701520334358658013noreply@blogger.com4