Because my Nautilus costume is the most elaborate of the three, it's been the first up for sewing. Progress shots are get!
Why yes, I am hand placing about a billion and eleventy tiny little rhinestones on the sheer organza sleeves. Thought it was a great idea until I began ~_~
And yes, these are real nautilus shell halves I hope to use for my hair 6_9
More to come soon 8D
Well it's been a long time since I made a post here, keep forgetting that this journal exists in truth. My main haunt is still eljay, despite the fact that it's gone near completely silent. Still, I suppose I should attempt to keep this one up, even if more off than on and I guess I'll start with some pictures taken during this morning's jog (I'm currently training for the Santa Paws 5k along with my little love, Mister, who will be running with me as well).
I woke up to a froggy day, which was a nice break from the skin searing sun I've been dealing with for the last million years, so the jog was nice.
Pete (this is Pete btw, a miniature rose addition to my humble porch garden) has a new bud blooming. Go go Pete @_@/
Dew on my mums, which are all nearly bloomed. They aren't pink, or red, more of an orangey red, and very pretty. So far so good with these guys, now I just need to hold them up through the season change and not freak out when the flowers start dying.
My training has been going well. Slow, but well. It's been off and on because I've been so sick, I'm hoping though that come November and Santa Paws time, I'll be fit enough not to die through it. Wish me luck, with the way my body is going, I'll need it u_u;;
Skirt - Modified Modcloth | Pink Blouse - F21 | Pinafore Blouse - Thrifted | Pantaloons - Metamorphose | Tights - F21 | Lace Socks - Etsy | Shoes - Montreal | Coat - F21 | JellyDrop Ring - Angelic Pretty | Necklace, bracelets, hair bobs - Handmade, Etsy
I wore this yesterday for my weekly shopping day. the skirt was actually a dress I bought from Modcloth last year. I wanted it because I loved the gradient ruffle tiers, but once I got it in person, I found that it was both too short for me (which is amazing, considering I'm 5'2") and I really disliked the way the top portion of it crossed. I planned to sell it or donate it, but never got around to it so it just sat unloved and unused in my closet the entire time.
When I did my closet cleaning all those months back, I pulled it down to have a look at it again only to realize that the way it had been put together would be pretty easy to convert because the top portion and the skirt were separated in two sections by a red gathered belt. Last week I finally got around to making the adjustment and I'm so happy I did, because I absolutely adore it as a skirt. It's just the right length now and I don't have to argue with my body over how the top fits, plus I think it's going to be much more versatile this way. I definitely plan on getting a ton of usage out of it now because it's so light and airy and the peaches and pinks are just perfect for spring ^_^
I also managed to snag this from the EGL Sales community a while back and I'm so glad I did. I've wanted this set forever =O Now all I need to do is get pink bunny version from Angelic Pretty before it's gone, that way I'll have the matching set. I have this thing about clear colored jelly looking stuff, it's like some weird plastic treasure I have a compulsion to possess -haha.
Shhh, I'm in disguise 8D
She didn't really want anything special done (not even a dinner o_o;) but myself and our room mate decided she had to have something so we took her out to get Vietnamese foods at a place called Pho Far East, and it was wonderful. It's been almost 2 years now since we've had Vietnamese food, VA was sadly lacking in any real asian culture (actually, it prolly wasn't on a whole, but we personally weren't around it and had no access), and here, it's really just been a matter of accessibility that's held us back. I found that I missed it something fierce.
Anywho, this is the outfit I wore...
JSK - Innocent World | Blouse - Ruche | Bolero - Vintage | Tights - F21 | Bloomers - Metamorphose | Socks - Etsy | Shoes - Poetic License | Mitts - Vintage | Coat - Offbrand | Jewelry and Hair Bobs- Handmade, Target, Etsy, Silverworks | Purse - TaoBao
I really should have taken off my jacket for these shots, because I spaced getting pics of the cuteness that was underneath. I was wearing my vintage crochet half bolero with pottery cookie pins anchoring it to the JSK straps, and my pretty lace blouse. Boo, next time then, it's starting to get too warm for the jacket anyway.
These took about a billion years too long to do, and they don't show up well in the pics but they are super iridescent and sparkly with gold bling at the tips. Yeah, these will last about 5 mins after I start sewing on monday -lol. <-They are already chipped and partially gone xD
at the restaurant, I got some Vietnamese coffees. I think I've found that I like it better in packets (there were a lot of coffee grounds in mine and while I managed to get most of them out, the thought of hitting one put my off a little from it on a whole).
My foods, omg so good. Rice noodles, pork and shrimp. I did make the mistake of dumping the entire bowl of fish sauce on it, which in the past has been no problem, but this place put a clump of Sriracha in there and it was pretty spicy. Still good though, just had to keep a tissue for my nose closeby while I was eating xD I forgot to get a pic of the spring rolls, but we had those too and oh how I've missed them. Rice noodles, bean sprouts, lettuce ,pork and shrimp wrapped with rice paper with a side of peanut dipping sauce. I could eat about a duffel bag's worth of them right now *_*
It was a good day - full, but good. My chibi was happy enough (She's now on a Yugioh Zexal marathon because I got her the DVD set) and she liked her gifties (she got all the peeps, Zexal DVD set, Target gift card and some megaman shirts). Once home we also ate a white cake with white chocolate and cream cheese frosting, with a cream center filled with blondie bites, then more cream and caramel on top, with vanilla bean iced cream as a side to celebrate <-It was amazing, but I felt like a puffy marshed mallow for the rest of the night after I ate my small slice -haha.
Now to end this, have some bonus Mister shots because she's adorable and cute =3
Cuteeeeeee <3
JSK- Innocent World | Blouse - F21 | Bloomers - Metamorphose | Tights - Target | Boots - Bodyline | Mitts - Vintage | Coat - Offbrand | Necklace and broach - Etsy | Collar, ring and hair bobs - Handmade
I've wanted a 3D moss mushroom ring ever since I saw the rings Tinytoadstool made for her shop. Sadly I wasn't able to get one of hers before they sold out, so I made an "inspired by" version of my own ^^
I have no idea where Mister thought she was going, I was just following her lead xD
One of the last things I was able to buy before my tax monies were all spent was this JSK from Innocent World and I wore it for the first time today for my weekly shopping and errands trip. I've wanted it since it was released and thought that I was going to miss it, but luckily it was still up when my money came through. Originally I was hoping to get the mint colorway, but by the time I got to it the only color left was the Cafe au Lait. I figured that having it in any color was better than having it in none, so I went ahead and put my order through. While I was waiting for IW to send me a confirmation, I happened to go up on the site again and noticed that suddenly the mint was back in stock =O
I immediately mailed IW asking if it were possible to exchange since mint hadn't been up there when I did order and then waited yet again for their reply. They got back to me rather quickly, with an apology and an explanation as to why the mint went back in stock (someone had been cancelled due to non payment) and why they were unable to exchange (they'd just sent my dress the day before), but had they not sent it they would have been more than happy to exchange. They also mentioned that even though I couldn't change the color, they still hoped that the Cafe au Lait would become my favorite. I told that it was alright and I understood, and that I was grateful for their efforts for it anyway. Plus I couldn't help the smile that came with their final comment, because it was a rather cute touch.
Well the next day, the dress showed up at my door and as soon as I opened the package ->
I am so happy it had been sent before I could exchange, because the color is very pretty in person and I think being that it's neutral, it's going to give me a wider range for co'ords. I told IW about this,how it's so much prettier in person than it looked on my screen and thanked them again for all their efforts. They mailed me immediately back saying that they were surprised the dress arrived so quickly (their exact words were -> o.o wow! -haha), and that they are happy I was satisfied with the color, but how they will have to do something about how they present their clothing from now on because it is hard to get the proper colors to show up on the screen.
Oh Innocent World, you so crazy,but you definitely have earned a customer for life ^_^
Recently a friend sent me an invite code to try out Graze, which is a UK based company that's making a debut in the states for healthy snacks and such, delivered once a week to your door. During the promo they are giving out the first box free to invitees, so you can try their services before actually making a commitment to buy. I was a little weary about it honestly, because I've had issues in the past with cancelling so-called free tryouts (in my experience, once I put in my card number to get the "free" first or trial run items, it takes some serious jumping of hoops to cancel it before charges go through) -I usually remedy this by simply not bothering with promotions that require you to enter your card number to get their "free" item, but after reading my friend's review (and hers before her), cancelling didn't seem as if it'd be a nightmare and so I figured I'd give it a go. I also figured that if I did end up liking it, the most I'd end up paying would be five dollars for each new box they send (with deliveries set to once a week, or every 2 - 4 weeks, depending on my preferences), which for a four pack of healthy snacks, is considerably low.
Setting up an account was easy, and once there I was able to sift through the pages of snacks and hit either the "trash" button for things I wasn't interested in (every snack that contained chocolate, I'm looking at you), or press a try, like or love button for future boxes to come. There's a lot of variety on the site and surprisingly, most of it are things I'm interested in trying. They prepare the boxes for you so what you get is random, but they won't send you anything you've trashed either. You are also given a choice between what they've called a "Nibble box" or a "Light box", I chose the Nibble box. I've been told the Light box restricts the higher calorie things (like chocolate) which I prolly could have gone with, but I like the idea of having a choice on a few higher cal things here and there.
From the time of set up, it took about a week and half for the first box to arrive, which had me concerned at first since it showed by my account that they'd sent two out (as well as charged me for the second box as it had been stated) and when I contacted them about it because I'd been worried about having a chance to decide whether or not to continue the service before I even got to try, they ended up comping me another free box for the delay =O It was completely unnecessary but very much appreciated and I'm willing to support them for as long as I'm able due to it. I'm very happy to spend monies when I do have it, on a company that's willing to go the extra mile for their potential customers and they definitely won me over with that right off the bat.
Once I did receive the first box, which is simply,but effectively packaged, I opened it up to see what they'd sent and was greeted with this. I'm really impressed with the way the snacks are packaged and how plain brown the box is, while
being so vibrant and green on the inside. I also appreciate the card it came with, which was a printed note about the program, the fact that the first box was free, four invite codes for me to hand out and the nutrition facts of each snack.
Following my preferences I was sent Hot Cross Yum, Mississippi BBQ Pistachios, Super Berry Detox and Herby Basket for this first box. The portions are nicely sized for such a compact arrangement and even though it's meant for one person to snack (or graze) upon, the size of each cup afforded an easy split between myself and my Chibi without leaving me feeling as if I've gone without.
The BBQ pistachios were awesome, a good amount of flavor without drowning out the taste of the nut itself. I'm also a pistachio fan, so I was a little biased on them to begin with. I thought I would like the Hot Cross Yum more than I did though. It contained candied almonds, orange raisins and small little spongy cake drops. The main issue I had with this one was the cake drops because they tasted too much like softened Fruit Loops for my liking and honestly, I'm not sure I'd eat it again. Though the almonds and the raisins were great so this one wasn't a complete loss for me, and luckily my Chibi liked the cake drops so I was able to pan them all off on her.
I feel a little meh about the berry detox, not in a bad way mind you, because the mix of berries it comes with is great, it's mostly that I'm not sure it's something I'd eat regularly because it feels a little too much like a box of different flavored raisins, or 100 calorie cranberry snacks and wouldn't be something I'd grab when I'm wanting to snack. Personal preference on that one though, since I've never really been over the moon about dried berries of any kind. The Herby Basket on the other hand was wonderful and I had a really hard time keeping to my half with it because I wanted to eat it all. I especially liked the oregano rice cracker bits and would be quite happy to get a bucket full of those. They were so good that I could totally be eating them right now xD
What I like about this is that once you get your box, you can go back into your account and rate the snacks you've received by the trash, try, like or love system. If you get a snack you aren't very fond of, you can trash it so they won't send it to you again. If you get one that you'd like again, you can love it so they'll be more likely to put it back in your mix with future boxes should you choose to continue receiving the service. I really like that option actually, because it'll tailor what I get from them to my exact tastes.
It also came with a napkin (which is neatly tucked in the bottom of the box, underneath the snacks in a bed of green printed grass.) which I find a great touch. I think that five dollars a box is quite a steal for all this, considering the amount you get and how it's presented to you. I'm definitely looking forward to new ones whenever they come in and I do hope I'll be able to support the company for a good long while to come! (even if at some point, my finances force me to drop my deliveries down to once a month ^_^;).
