Just...knitting.

Belated Merry Christmas to everyone in the blogosphere! :)


My tree! ^__^

I'm trying to stay warm by knitting things again. Actually, I learned how to knit several years ago and I had only produced 1 scarf. It happens to be a very cute pastel green/pale mint green scarf which I do love but I only wear it with other equally cutesy and pastel-y things. So a few years back, I had purchased some wonderfully amazing 100% Baby Alpaca yarn by Cascade Yarns in a rather lovely shade of burgundy/red. (I think their colorway is "Ruby" actually.) Well, around Thanksgiving of this year, I decided to finish knitting that freakin' scarf...I had only completed about 1/3 of the project and I was quite disappointed in myself for stopping. Mostly because I hate leaving projects unfinished but also because this yarn is FUCKING AWESOME. It smells good. It feels oh-so-soft. It's beautiful. Did I mention it smells good? Omg. I never realized "yarn huffing" was a "thing" until I sniffed me some 100% baby alpaca yarn. Omg. So good. (Seriously just pick up a skein and sniff it sometime! Has to be 100% tho...or else it might smell different!) So anyway. I finished said scarf.

Now I have two scarves... and the addiction begins...(or continues? depends on how you look at it.)


Awww yeeaaaa! So warm! And gorgeous. Check dat yarn lustre! xD


It's just a garter stitch, so I am going to attempt crazier patterns soon. Right now I am working on a k2, p2 scarf in brown. Same type of yarn (100% Baby Alpaca Yarn) just different colorway.

BTW if you are on Ravelry (sort of like a Facebook type of site only for knitting/crocheting/weaving/yarn spinning, etc.) feel free to add me as a friend on there! :) And/or just creep on my projects mercilessly! I don't mind! ;3
http://www.ravelry.com/people/theflyingace/

Did I mention I enjoy drinking and knitting at the same time??

Wine + knitting...


Beer + yarn winding...(tangling, lol!)

Also this isn't really related, but I am sort of addicted to the band CHVRCHES. Seriously. IDK why I love to listen to electronic music whilst knitting (and drinking) simultaneously...but it does makes the project go by so much faster when you're listening to a favorite band (at least for the time being) and plus the alcohol makes my muscles relax and use less tension which is a problem often have as a n00b-knitter. (Try it, but don't get too drunk or you might drop some stitches, lol.)



Click Read More to see some more yarn porn and misc knitting related pix. :D

Treated myself to some knitting needles and other odds and ends for Christmas:


Received this cute knitting set as an XMas gift:


and some yarn:


Finished red scarf plus (an old pic of) my stash:

New JASMINE album - Complexxx!

AHHHH omg. This is gonna be a quickie post but I couldn't help but to rave about JASMINE's new album, Complexxx...it's her 2nd Studio Album. She's a JPOP singer, and I loved her first album, GOLD soooo so much that I just had to order her latest album from CDJapan.



12 tracks of pure awesome. I love how she mixes English words with Japanese. Highly recommended if you love JPOP. :D

I'll add more later after I've listened to all the tracks...but I will say I have already heard "Only You," "ONE," and "I'll Be There" and I love all of those songs. So pop-y and I love her voice even if they autotuned it some, hehe. ;)

What JPOP singers are you all listening to right now??


XOXOXOXOXO

Wanting to Dress Gyaru...

Every so often I will throw stuff together when I am lounging around my house, bored, on a weekend. I will go all-out with my makeup, or I will spend hours trying to put together the right look, clothing-wise. And then I won't go anywhere. Part of wearing gyaru is confidence and sometimes I just don't feel confident, although wearing gal does make me feel beautiful on the outside when I am sick or feeling sad on the inside. That's something I have always loved about fashion...being able to escape and go to someplace else when the real world just isn't cutting it for me.


I love the simplicity of black and white. And yet it can be elegant...or casual...depending on which way you style it.


I wasn't wearing gal makeup in either of these photos. It was late at night, I am pretty sure I had work the next day, and I was feeling like shit. Lately, I was diagnosed with IBS so I have to be careful about what I eat, drink, what medicines I take, and letting stress get to me. Stress causes so many attacks. >__<;; Sometimes dressing up is the only relief I get. But wearing tight clothing can also bring me pain, so I try to avoid it when possible...part of the reason why I get so bummed out when something I lusted after for a long time ends up being too small/tight on me. I don't know what style of gal you'd call the black x white outfit above, but I was leaning towards oneegyaru....anyone have any better ideas for what to call it? Maybe just grown-up elegant style? IDK. I always thought that's what oneegyaru was.... 'older sister gal' like a Liz Lisa graduate, lol? I will never stop wearing Liz Lisa. Or Liz Lisa-inspired outfits. See below:
I got this from a totally awesome Korean eBay seller located in California. She sells her clothing as full outfits. I highly recommend checking her out. I don't even know her or anything, but she has great style. I messaged her asking if she had a blog/instagram/lookbook/etc. but to my disappointment, she doesn't. Or maybe she didn't want to share it with me cause she was creeped out by my fangirl-ing, heehee! :D At the time of this post, she doesn't have anything up for sale. But I signed up for notifications, lol. *ebaynerd*

Anywayyyyy I guess I am done gushing about gyaru.

I also acquired this tasty garment recently:


UNIF Pastel Moto Jacket.

I saw this killer cute jacket before it was featured in Paramore's new music video, Still Into You (which I do adore, btw) but seeing one of my fave singers wearing it made me want it even more. Weird how that works.


I swear I didn't buy this pastel moto jacket because of Hayley.... but it just so happens that UNIF is one of my favorite brands and Paramore is one of my favorite bands..... hmmmmmmm. Alignment of stars, planets, galaxies, &c.?

I love Paramore even though they have a different sound now and are down a couple of a band members. ;)

Their new album is too legit to quit!! :D

...must convince my boss to let me dye my hair like Hayley's lol...! xD

And here is the rest of it.

Manba Heaven!

So the other night, my amiga, Jax decided to come into town to go to a Hawaiian themed party with me! We decided the occasion called for manba style!

I was naturally scared as it was my first time wearing manba. Oh gosh. SO SCARED. Mostly that I'd mess up the makeup and do it a great injustice. I think I did A-OK for my first try but I hope to get better!

I spray tanned in advance for this look. I went with the darkest tan they have!

This was the result:



@___@;;

If you wanna know what products I used, click the jump! ;) Also more photos underneath the jump! >D




FIRST OF ALL: I know that the cowgirl hat is more of a kurobanba thing, not a manba thing. BUT WHATEVS. I love cowgirl hats and Liz Lisa so I wanted to do a Liz Lisa Western version of romanba! I say romanba because I feel like my outfit is not neon and hawaiian looking enough to be considered manba. But whatever, yo! Labels are labels, I just wanted to have fun.

Also ...first time doing romanba makeup, and I was scared, like I said, hahahaha. xD








Crappy bathroom lighting but you can better see my makeup in this photo.

Oh gosh, I felt so silly yet it was fun! It was cool! And different from my usual stuff, haha. Had this JASMINE song stuck in my head partly during the night:
Even though they call me bad girl. I reply 'so what?'
Even though they call me bad girl. If so, I'll puff out my chest
This is my lifestyle and no one else's
I'll see it through
(ENGL translation.)



My makeup:

- Stila face primer
- Covergirl liquid foundation in Classic Tan
- NYX Pencil in Milk (white) for pretty much all of the white stuff you see
- Geek Chic Cosmetics eyeshadow in Mana Battery for the shimmery white parts
- Too Faced Glitter for the glittery parts
- Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper for the black eyemakeup parts + kat von d black eyeshadow to set it
- Pink eyeshadow in upper corners is from Aromaleigh Rocks collection
- Make Up Forever HD translucent setting powder
- Urban Decay Shine Control makeup setting spray to set and seal it all!
- Black circle lenses. I think Barbie King Size type? from pinkyparadise.com
- Top lashes are Diamond Lash, and bottoms are generic cheapie eBay lashes from China
- Childrens stick on earrings + duo latex glue for the stickers on my cheeks
- crappy eBay wig from China, LOL
- cowgirl hat from Claire's



Also this song has been stuck in my head a lot lately. I wish JASMINE would release a new album!! Like STAT. xD

Latest Favorites for Skincare/Bath + Random Stuff!

You know you can't resist cosmetics sold in cute little pepper-shaped tubes marketed by sexy Asian menz with blonde hairz. o.o;;



Whew, I totally had two huge projects and a test this week. BLAH. The test was today and I feel....okay....about it, haha. That's all I am gonna say because everytime I think I did well on an exam, I ended up doing poorly...and everytime I think I did shitty on a test, it's like BAM, I ended up doing well. O_o;

Anyway!

So today I just wanted to mention some random stuff...I have been using Baviphat's products a LOT lately and let me say...I am IN LOVE. I'll do another post after this (hopefully! LOL!) with more in-depth thoughts on a few of their different products. Here are the ones I am currently using.

Currently Using
- Magic Girls BBcream fresh for oily skin
- Strawberry Detox Mask
- Peach Peeling Gel
- Apple AC Sleeping Pack
- Fruity/Jelly(?) Lip and Cheek Tint (jar has no label on it? LOL.)

On the Way
- Magic Girls BBprimer fix (sample of this sold me!)
- Paprika Pore Solution Toner
- Paprika Pore Solution Essence/Serum
- Paprika Pore Solution Moisturizer
- Peach Sebum Solution Compact in 01 Light
- Apple Lip Scrub

Wishlist
- Lip stuff (more jelly tint!)
- Cheek stuff (blushing girl powder)
- Sheet masks (anything but the Snail stuff! LOL!)

Plus I have a ton of samples I've yet to try. x3 (OH GOD, please excuse that icky hair in that photo...gah. I never notice those things until it's too late!)
Samples are what got me into Baviphat in the first place. I was trying BBcream from an eBay seller and then they sent me some of the Baviphat AC Apple Sleeping Pack as a bonus and I was hooked when I tried it! My face was SO clear. :3
Currently hooked on the Paprika stuff which is why I bought moar of it. Hehe! I got some Tony Moly samples too but I didn't like them near as much as Baviphat...I somehow thing that their suuuuper cute packaging has something to do with that, haha. Totally lures ya in! But at least their product DELIVERS! :D

Pics and some randomness behind the cut! :3



Baviphat is coming out with (already came out with?!) cute new make-up bags! OMG! I dunno about you but I really dig on #04 and #09!! :)






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LUSH--OMG!

I have an interview with LUSH this Sunday. I am sooooooo excited. :3 I love that store and working there would be like a dream come true even though I already have a part-time job as an intern.... I would die for the product discount too, haha. (Gorgeous facial moisturizer for less? W00T W00T!) And getting to play with their products all day and showing ppl how to use them. Omg. So much fun. haha.

Also I tried some of their new 'secret' products that came out on the British site. Specifically these:

- Dirty Soap
- Rose Jam Bubbleroon
- Ro's Argan Body Conditioner
- Phoenix Rising Bath Bomb
- Rose Queen Bath Bomb
- Dream Steam Toner Tab (was expensive but I plan to save it in a spray bottle to make it last!)

Want to try this ASAP: Lustre Body Shimmer, scented like the Lust perfume! :3

Had to order it all from the UK but the shipping was surprisingly affordable. I just regret not getting any free samples in my box. ;___; They tossed in a LUSH times though! :)

Reviews forth coming!!

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I just organized my shoe "collection" haha:



Crazy huh? @___@; It's scary to think I own so many shoes. But what can I say, I love them? This is like 4+ years worth of buying shoes, and I still have a few more pairs at my other home. :3 I donate to Goodwill when I can and sometimes I end up having to trash a well-loved pair. My Japanese loafers are suffering this fate and I hope I can rescue them before they have to be trashed! :'(


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TIGHTS! From ICING! :)


My most worn pair, they look AWESOME with Dolly Kei. :)

Got grey tights too <3!


And these awesome black with flocky stuff:


I love Icing and Claire's! (Owned by same company.) Do you all have a favorite accessory or tights shop? These stores sell lots of cute necklaces too. If any of you international gals who read my blog want any cute stuff but you don't have a Claire's or Icing in your countries, just let me know what you're looking for and I can get it for you, no extra charges, just pay for the item + shipping. :) I am more than willing to shop for you too if you just want, say, a cute animal necklace or something and you're open to a surprise, haha. :D
I love shopping! >_<;;

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Moar random:

New bedding set I got on Overstock. Damn, I love that site. So friggin' cheap!


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Last random note...I've been listening to SO much girly-pop music lately. What's up with that?! xD Guilty pleasure... :3


Demi Lovato <3 I just ordered her new album. xD
She is sooo beautiful, and I totally love her make-up in that movie. Shame she struggled with eating disorders...I can totally relate though. :-/ I think a lot of young girls can. Take care of yourselves!! <3<3<3
And keep rockin' on. :)

xoxo
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PS: Coming up next time!

More cosmetics reviews - Geek Chic Cosmetics, Purely Cosmetics, Morgana's, and more! :)
ALSO: Planning to order and review more Fyrinnae samples in the near future as soon as they open again! Here's to hoping they come back soon! >_<;; I love them! And I can't live w/o my Rapunzel Had Extensions! :3