March 2015 Collective Haul!

Alpaca necklace from my bestie wants to be in the haul, too!!

In March, I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase and receive a good bit of items! I've never done a haul on my blog, only on my vlog channel, but it just didn't feel like a fun video, so I figured maybe it would be better as a blog post? So this is a haul from Forever 21, Hot Topic, the Nintendo Eshop, and even WalMart!

As with any of my haul/what I got posts, I am in no way bragging, only sharing! I like looking at hauls, but they're not for everyone. Now that that's out of the way, let's start~

I'll start with probably my favorite item from WalMart, this floor length light teal skirt! It has an inner opaque skirt and an outer, sheer, chiffon skirt! It's very flowy and wonderful to wear outside in the spring! WalMart's really been stepping up their clothing game lately! Unfortunately with this and a bit of my other items, I don't remember the exact price, but I believe this was $12.

Next from WalMart is this black slightly patterned skater dress with a heart-shaped mesh neck! I decided to get this in black because it would go with most of my things that way. I think this was at least under $14? 

I got this lace, floral shawl from WalMart as well! I've never really owned one, but my bestie really likes them, and they are indeed cute! The only bad thing is that the fringe at the bottom gets stuck on everything, including all the charms I have on my purse! I think this was around $10.

Second to last from WalMart are these adorable light teal shorts! These were under $10, I believe. Unfortunately they're a little tight if I just ate something big, haha.

Lastly is what I'm wearing today (hence this picture), a black tank top with daisies on it! (sorry for boobie shot, aha) I love daisies, so I had to get this! I also pretty much live in tank tops after it gets anywhere above 50˚. I think this was only $3! They had a lot of cute other pattens I might want to get later...

Next is Forever 21, where I only got two things. I love Forever 21, but being plus sized, I can rarely buy from their main line and have to get F21+. This would be fine if my local F21 had a plus size section. For the longest time it had maybe three plus size items in the entire store, but when I went on Friday, there was an entire plus size room! I had seen this acid wash 90s-esque romper on the website but I think it was sold out, so I was happy to see it here! When I first tried it on I got scared because it was a bit small, but I forgot that the straps were all the way on the smallest setting ^^; This was about $15, I think.

The next item I got from F21 I'm not going to picture, because they're just really basic jeans. But they're also really comfy jeans, and they were also only $10!

From Hot Topic, I also only got two items. Firstly is this adorable baggy tee shirt with sprites of the characters and enemies from the first Mario Bros game! Blooper is my favorite. I don't remember how much this was, but it's Hot Topic so imagine it is marked up a lot.

Last from HT are these adorable cameo earrings with crab spiders suspended in the middle! When it comes to spiders, I've recently found a lot of them cute...as long as they are on the computer screen, and not next to me. I believe these were $9.

Finally is the Nintendo Eshop purchases. I decided to get a new theme, so I got this adorable Kirby theme! I love the stripes on the folders and the happy music! As with all (?) themes, this was $2.

Secondly I got another Megaman game, because for some reason I can't get enough of platformers lately even though I am really, really bad at them. 

Lastly is a game I owned when it first came out but had since sold back, Mario Kart 7! I can't get enough of Mario Kart, I really can't. I love most of them so much. My thumb is so sore from pressing the A button already. And I'm actually decent at these games, too!

So, that was it! Of course, I didn't get this all in one day, haha.

What have you bought recently?

March 2015 Favorites!!

I haven't done a favorites post in a while! I actually filmed this as a vlog as well and I'll be uploading it later tomorrow, so head over to my YouTube channel if you want to check that out! Let's get started~

Priceless.

My first favorite isn't an item at all - it's happiness! As I've mentioned before, I suffer with depression and anxiety as well as a few other mental funtime issues. But lately I've just been like, "No. No more of that." Of course, my issues haven't gone away, but lately I've just been really, really happy and getting a lot of things done and overall just feeling better about things. I still have a long way to go, but I feel like I'm starting to actually move again.

Pro Longwear Foundation: $32 // Pro Longwear Powder: ~$30??

I really only have two makeup favorites this month, and they're both from MAC! I've never had a high-end foundation, only drugstore ones, and I decided since foundation really was a base for everything I should try a high-end one. I believe my shade is NW15? Or NC...? NW sounds right, but it definitely is 15 (one of the lightest shades). It goes on so smooth and light and I fee it really does look so much better and offers great coverage without being heavy. I highly recommend it, even though it is pricy. I do feel that you don't use as much, as well.

bunny necklace: $12

This next favorite is actually a present from my best friend in the UK, Ashley! Along with a bunny patch and some heart earrings, she sent me this "bunny" necklace in pink! It obviously perfect for me since I am Bunny. It's pretty big and reflective and just overall wonderful.

Daisy Choker: $10?

I'm not sure of the prices of the last three jewelry items because they were gifts from bestie Miraiina, so I'm going to have to estimate. Also, this isn't even a picture of the choker I have because I couldn't find a picture of it on Claire's' website, so picture the black wiring as clear and the colored flowers as white daisies. I love the 90s so I love these chokers that everyone now has again. But this one has my third favorite flower on in!

Cherry Earrings: $8?

Even though I only have one hole open right now, I love earrings, especially dangling ones. I also really love cherries!! Not eating them, of course, I hate the taste. But I love the way cherries look, they're adorable! These earrings from Claire's aren't too big but big and pink enough to be noticeable.

Fake Septum: $14?

Hey look, not only is it a fake septum, but a hint of the daisy choker, bunny necklace, and cherry earrings! Either way, this fake septum ring from Claire's is also surprisingly comfortable and sturdy. It does take a bit to get used to the feeling of something dangling out of your nose, but I think it looks very cute. Also, I don't think I would ever get my septum pierced for real, so this fake jewelry is perfect!

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millenium Girl: $40

Next are three games for the Nintendo 3DS! Firstly is a very cute RPG that I actually got half off while Atlus was doing their half-off sale (or are they still doing it?). It's honestly a bit difficult and very time consuming, but it's a very reasonable difficulty that makes the game more realistic. If you've never played an Etrian Odyssey game, I highly recommend this one!

Fairune: $3

Fairune is a retro-not-retro RPG avaliable on the eshop for a very reasonable price. This game mimics an older RPG, and as such, at times there may not really be clear objectives. But you have never played an older, harder RPG this one is a good jump into the genre. Fairune is also very cute! Actually, all the games that are on my favorites this month are cute.

Legend of Dark Witch: $4

Also available on the Nintendo eshop is Legend of Dark Witch, a cute (see?) platformer that reminds me a lot of Megaman. I don't have much to say about this one as it is really just a basic platformer, but I recommend it as well!

Go! Princess Precure is the newest in the Precure series and is currently coming out in Japan. I've watched a few episodes of the original Precure, but just never got around to finishing it. I've been wanting to jump back in with one of the newest series, and to be honest it was the "princess" in the title of this anime that drew me in! The theme of this series is not only princesses, but dreams and happiness, which is something I can obviously get behind. It's very adorable and the fighting sequences are surprisingly well choreographed! 

Priceless as well (Or, $15)

Last favorite is a gift from my fiance, a Birdo plushie! We got this from a local video game store, so I can't really say where you could get one for sure local to you. They also had a lot of the Koopalings and some other enemies. This plushie isn't very big, but I love Birdo, so I don't care and love to cuddle with it.

That's it for this month! (And if you were wondering, an UNfavorite for this month would happen to be Starbuck's Smores Frappucinno Iced Drink Bottle thing! So gross!)

I actually uploaded my favorites vlog ahead of time, so go ahead and watch if you want to actually see these items~!

Fitness Update//Future Purchases

Get the Starbucks birthday cake frappuccino for the next few days only! It's so yummy!

Hello everyone~! The past few days have been very mentally exhausting for me, but not in all bad ways. 

To update on my entry where I said I was going to tackle my eating habits and starting working out - I have lost weight! How much exactly? I'm, um, not sure. Weight normally fluctuates from day to day, and even in the same day. But my weight is fluctuating 15+ pounds, which is odd! Oh well. At least something is happening!

So I was talking with a friend and we've decided to work out at the gym together! She's actually going to pay to get herself a premium membership so she has a guest pass; I'm so overwhelmed by her kindness! Gotta keep filling out those job applications so I can help pay! But, I'm very excited to go to a real gym again, and regularly. What's going to be interesting is that she works night shift, so we're going to be working out pretty early in the morning. I'm excited and a little nervous!!

Also, I've been doing a good bit of art lately.

It looks like I'm going to be spending part of my tax refund on the New 3DS XL. My 3DS XL isn't broken...quite. I notice hat occasionally the bottom screen's brightness will flicker slightly, and sometimes when it's closed, it thinks it's open, which isn't good. So I guess I'll be getting a new one! I'll probably get black so I can paint glitter over it.

I'm also aybe going to be getting some of the YRU platform high-top shoes in black because I found them on sale. I love platform shoes! I haven't really had any proper ones since high school. My best friend actually has these and let me try hers on and they're super comfortable!

One thing for sure I'm going to spending money on is sending a package to my best friend in the UK!

But, as I discovered after I began writing this, my money is going to come in before I attend MTAC, my local anime convention, next weekend! I've been reasoning with myself to not spend all of my money on ridiculous things, so if I do spend money there, it will probably mostly be in the artist alley, or if I happen to see a cute Chikorita!

I'm going to be dressing up both days I'm attending, so hopefully I can do a quick ootd post? I'm twinning with my best friend the first day!

I hope you all are having a great day~!

52 Week Lolita Tag, But All at Once

MTAC is coming up, which means a few good days of wearing lolita fashion! I actually haven't been in too much of a lolita mood lately, but I am excited to wear it again. I decided to do something that might help me get in a frillier mood, so I decided to do the 52 week lolita challenge...only, I'm not that patient, so I'm going to do all the questions at once!! I find things like this fun. If you like, take it and do it for yourself!

5 pieces that every Lolita wardrobe should have, regardless of style

     -Bloomers and a really good petticoat are the obvious first two choices. I think next one should have at least one basic blouse in the two colors that go with many things, black and white. Fourth, I think that you should have one good pair of shoes that go with lots of coords, so again, white or black. Lastly, this isn't a "wardrobe" item, but I think splurging on some good foundation is good.

5 movies for Lolitas

     -This is kind of hard. I'm not going to say Marie Antoinette because everyone seems to say that, but it is a good movie. I guess maybe a magical girl movie (like Sailor Moon, Pretty Cure, etc.). Umm...I honestly...don't know...maybe a version of Alice in Wonderland? Phantom of the Opera? 

What my own Lolita lifestyle is like 

     -Non-existant? Haha. I wear it so rarely nowadays. 

 Favorite thing to put on my head

     -Bows! Big bows!

 My wardrobe turnover

     -I'm not sure what this means by turnover...?

 My favorite Lolita brand

     -Angelic Pretty! Followed by Baby the Stars Shine Bright.

 Why I wear Lolita?

     -I like it and it makes me happy: why you should wear anything.

 Why don't I wear Lolita more often?

     -I don't really have a big lolita wardrobe, it's actually the smallest it's been in ages now. Also, I get hot easily, and it gets hot where I live early in the year and stays hot for a while...

 5 keywords that describe my personal Lolita style

     -Limited (lol), pink, happy, yes, roomforimprovement (lolol)

 How I first found out about Lolita

     -In 2005, I was a sophomore in high school, and in art class my friend was drawing Mana from Malice Mizer, so I did some research, found Moi Meme Moitie, and went from there~

 3 trends I wish would come back

     -The only one I can think of is nice old school lolita, but it actually does seem to be coming back a bit?

 Combining other fashions with Lolita

     -I'm kind of iffy on this...with things like fairy kei, mori, etc., I think it could be okay, but when people seem to combine it with anything else, I've just never seen it done too well (but that's not to say it couldn't be done!)

Lolitas I have met in real life

     -Just the ones from my local comm.

Lolitas I would love to meet

     -Any! But I guess especially PrincessPeachie, Frillypinkdreams, Lovelylor...jeez, I was just talking about this with a friend today, I can't think of anyone else!

 3 things I wish I was told when I was a new Lolita

     -Petticoats are NOT optional, do not buy that hideous bat wa-lolita thing it won't even fit, please wear a wig. 

10 facts about my Lolita wardrobe

     -It's as small as when I first started. It used to be bigger. I will never sell Toy Parade. I need more basics. I can't do many coords right now (do you see a theme?). I probably need a new petticoat soon. My pink shoes are worn with almost every coord. I used to have a whole bunch of replicas. I regret selling a few things. I can't wait to add to it.

 My first meetup

     -Uhh. I think it was...not with the existing comm, but with a group of lolitas and oujis and bit older then the current comm's demographic...we went to one of their houses, had some finger food, and went to see Alice in Wonderland in theaters. I think this was my first?? I don't remember...

 Trends I thought I would never get into, but I now love

      -OTT Sweet

 Trends I thought I loved, but now I'm not too keen on

     -When I first learned about lolita, I liked that cheap Hot Topic-esque lolita look. Ew.

 How satisfied I am with my current wardrobe

     -Not! At all!

 Plan for a trip! A week's worth of Lolita outfits I can fit in a small suitcase

     -I could probably fit my whole lolita wardrobe minus petticoats and wigs in a suitcase, sadly.

 How I accessorize

     -With bright colored things!

 What influences my Lolita style

     -Probably tumblr. Hah. The lolitas that I look up to.

 What's in my makeup bag

     -I couldn't begin to list everything x_x

 Best places to wear Lolita

     -Hmm...somewhere like a tea house, or maybe an exhibit at a museum? Or a play? Or just at someone's house~

 How I get out of a wardrobe slump

     -Buy something, browse sales posts or outfit posts.

 Purses that I love

     -Purses that look like food! I love the ridiculous Honey Cake (I think that's the one?) pancake mix purse.

 Bloomers or no bloomers?

     -Bloomers always.

 Lolitafying things in my everyday life

     -I'm not very patient so any DIYing I would like to do, I rarely do...

 How long it took me to build a complete wardrobe

     -HA.

 Impulse buys that were totally worth it

     -Toy Parade! I had to even put it on payment plan because it was such a sudden decision.

 My best deal

     -Not sure :o

 Something that I made

     -When I first started liking lolita and I was still very, very much ita, I made crappy wrist cuffs and a headdress out of cheap black lace.

 Wardrobe blunders! Things I bought that I ended up regretting!

     -Replicas...

 What I thought when I got my first real piece of Lolita

     -"It's...perfection!"

 Nails to match my favorite looks

     -I never do any fancy nail art, but I usually try to coordinate colors.

 Something that's not my style, but I love anyways

     -Hmm...I guess gothic.

 Favorite hair style

     -Pinned back under a wig cap ;)

 Most versatile Lolita item I own

     -Pink Bodyline heels. I wear them with almost every coord. They're so used, I need new ones!

 5 inspirational fictional characters

     -...well, I don't really know any fictional lolita characters (except for the obvious).

 Fondest meetup memory

     -Hmm...maybe at the swap meet, I got SO much stuff!

 The ways in which I fit the cliche

     -Uh? I like cute things??

 The ways in which I do not fit the cliche

     -I am not tiny and delicate :(

 How strangers react to my clothes, and how I react to their reactions

     -I've never had any "bad" reactions per se, just confusion or awe or the usual "are you in a play" or "did you make that" questions. Oh! This one time I was at the mall, and these girls were very very obviously hiding their faces as the walked passed me, phone pointed at me (I assume they were recording me). It was...huh. At least be polite!

 Something that was a gift

     -Hm...I used to have some Bodyline an old boyfriend gave me, but I've since sold those dresses.

 Parasols: Vital or frivolous?

     -I don't really care one way or the other.

 The item in my wardrobe that was the hardest to get

     -So far I haven't really had a hard time obtaining anything, yet.

 My "signature" outfit

     -Toy Parade JSK, pink blouse, pink shoes, white or black ankle socks, short split brown wig, and a cute purse.

 My favorite Lolita print

     -I have a lot, but Dream Sky is probably my ultimate favorite.

 What's in my closet, but I haven't worn yet!

     -Nothing!

 Predict the next Lolita trend!

     -I'm not good at this game.

 How Lolita has changed me

     -...I don't know? What an anti-climactic end.

Metamorphosis Part II

This is my OOTD, by the way~

It's been a while, again. Gosh I'm bad at this updating regularly thing! Any way, this post is another personal talky post, so I'm sorry if you don't like that sort of thing ;c

In my last entry, I talked about the things I had and had not accomplished in 2014, and what I hoped to do in the future. Sounds good, right? ...well, it would be if I actually DID something.

My depression and anxiety have been pretty steadily bad since then. I haven't done much of anything. And that's not a fun way to live. I've been very frustrated at myself for weeks and keep aiming to change my ways. But I haven't DONE ANYTHING. I've made lists. I've practiced self care to ease the voices of my mental illnesses. But sometimes, the best self care is kicking yourself out of bed and doing things. And that's what I've decided to do - and have been for the past three days.

I think the catalyst to propel me forward in this is a realization. For almost four years, I've been gaining weight pretty quickly, and it's to the point that it's not only affecting me mentally but harming my physically. I've tried dieting, working out, even starving myself. Yet for some odd reason it never really made a big impact. I even had a thyroid test done, but that wasn't the issue. And then a few days ago, browsing through healthy progress blogs on tumblr, I realize...oh, I have a huge problem with binge eating, don't I? 

And I do. I don't want to think that I have a problem, but I do. I haven't yet discovered what my "triggers" are but I'm working on it. I think it was a little hard to admit because I feel like I have so little control on my life as is, I thought maybe I had control of the thing you need to do every day to stay alive. But there's nothing wrong with having a problem as long as you realize it and try to work on it. 

So, three days ago, I decided to shift my life. It was time to change. Not just my poor eating, but everything. And so far, so good! I've been tracking what I eat more closely, eating slowly, and listening to my body. I've applied for at least ten jobs so far. I haven't really put out any art but I've at least been sketching every day. I've remembered to take my meds and do other healthy little things. I haven't started working out yet because my sleep has been so poor and all over the place, but hopefully Thursday I can start. I also haven't started doing my mass cleaning/getting rid of things project for the same reason, but I'm excited (albeit a bit overwhelmed) to start this! I've also planned to do a lot more and a lot better job of saving money. 

So that's what's been going on. I haven't really "accomplished" much yet, but already I just feel so much better and happier. Hope you all are doing well and are happy and doing what you want!