Current Angelic Pretty Wants!

So as I've mentioned before, I constantly am torn back and forth between loving lolita fashion and wanting every opportunity to dress up and frills and buy new pieces, and feeling like it might be time for me to give up on it. Luckily now, I'm in a loving mood!

Angelic Pretty is my favorite brand, and lately they've been putting out some great pieces! So this entry is essentially going to be me blathering about what I'm saving for now and hope to get! Oh! And I have a new job! So I actually can save while still helping to pay bills and such! Yay!

They've opened preorders for a new series called Melty Berry Princess that's going to come out in October that will hopefully still be around to buy in a little bit! I've fallen in love with it! Berries are so, so cute to me, and this print is just so nice and summery! The first piece I'd really like to get is the onepiece in white!

This dress just looks like a giant cake to me, it's so adorable! I'm a big fan of when the dresses have either the print or brand name on them. I'm really wanting to get a lot of lighter-colored dresses in the future, and I think this would be perfect! And - this dress would fit me with room to spare! I like the red colorway as well, the pink not so much. 

I'm also really wanting the JSK from this series as well! And it would fit me as well, bonus! Instead of the same color, however, I think the red, more busy print looks better on the JSK. It looks so adorable I can't get over it! And here's some detail shots...

The buttons are clear little flowers!

The lace looks like typical AP lace - very detailed and amazing! The white contrast goes nicely with the red of the print.

Of course, I want the matching accessories! The OTKs (which sadly won't be OTKs on me, haha) would look great in white with either dress, I feel...or maybe I'd cave and buy both red and white. For the headbow, I think red would work great with either the red or white dress colorway!

 The Double Ribbon Shirring blouse in Ivory is also up on the website (for how long who knows) and not only would this blouse fit me, but it would go well with the JSK, and be a good staple piece for my lolita wardrobe! The sleeves are detachable at the upper arm, so it can be either a short or long sleeve blouse, which is perfect because more often then not I'm warm while wearing lolita.

My last want from Angelic Pretty is this adorable bag in lavender with daisy-like flowers all over it! There was a red version of the bag that would go well with the dresses, but it dosen't seem to be available on the site anymore. I'd honestly want this bag just for every day use!

I don't have any money to spare right now so I'm going to TRY and be good and not look at any sales comms, but I can't wait to see how my lolita wardrobe will grow~!

What pieces are you hoping to buy?

Love Yourself NOW! + OOTD

So if you've read some of my past entries, you know that I've struggled with loving myself, my body, and just general self positivity. I knew I wanted to lose weight, and I knew I would be happier at a smaller size, but I didn't want to wait until I was at that smaller size to start loving myself! That's no way to live. I've struggled and tried to like my body, and suddenly, today...I did.

This is me, a size 18, with a tummy, wearing a crop top and high waisted skirt. This is me holding up my arm, which is not thin. This is me showing skin. This is me, with all my faults and flaws...actually thinking that I am still cute.

I don't know why it started, honestly. There was no distinct trigger that set these feelings in motion. This morning I just woke up, put on what you see, and I, for the first time in maybe EVER, felt 100% comfortable in my skin. I still want to lose weight and get in shape, of course. But now, in my "before" state, I like my body. Wow.

I may not be plus size forever. I don't intend to be. But while I am, I hope to use my confidence and such to help others feel the same way I feel. Whether you're 90 lbs or 500 lbs, you deserve to LOVE YOURSELF!

Unfortunately, I can't give too many too many tips on how to love yourself, seeing as it just seemingly suddenly happened to me. Care for yourself. Put on the lotions, the balms, the serums. Make your baths extra long and add in some nice scented candles. Look at yourself and know that this you is the only you that you have. It's okay to change your body, but your body now is still yours.

If you ever need to talk, I am here~ I hope that you're having a wonderful day and you have love for yourself!!

Waiting on the Mail

Today's OOTD~

Dress & Bolero: WalMart

Bag: Loris

Jewelry: Forever21, Hot Topic

Shoes (not pictured): UNIF

I have a spending problem. This is not a secret. If I have even five dollars, I feel like I instantly have to go out and spend it on something. Usually this something is something I don't really need. The past week I've been spending a little more then I should where I should be saving; mostly online but also some in store things such as the dress and bolero above.

So I guess this is a two part thing, where this is the entry I post what I'm waiting for in the mail, and later I do the actual haul post. I'm hoping that if I make a post like this I won't buy anything until after the local anime convention this weekend, haha. Like all hauls/similar posts, this is in no way bragging, just sharing. With that disclaimer out of the way, let's get started!!

Firstly is something from Amazon, and it's something I'm slightly familiar with as well: Wreck This Journal Everywhere! On Amazon, this book is usually about $10, but it's on sale for $6. I actually have one of the normal-sized Wreck This Journal books, but I got it and started filling it in a few years ago, when I was in a kind of bad time in my life. I don't know, I just feel weird continuing in it. So instead of getting a new full-sized one, I got the smaller one. This one has some different prompts as well! I'm probably going to do a vlog series where I show what I've done in it (you know, like everyone else)!

Secondly is this adorable pair of earrings from the Etsy shop, DoomStuff! Even though I only have one piercing open right now, I love, love ridiculous, big earrings. This pair of earrings combines a lot of things I love: aliens, the 90s, bright colors, etc.! I just heard about this shop from my bestie, but I'm sure I'll be buying from them again, as all of their items are similarly amazing, including jwelry made from computer keyboard keys! This pair of earrings cost $11.

Next is another Etsy item, from the shop AWRecycled Journals! I actually featured this store in an older entry! This journal isn't for me, however, is for my fiance, as he loves Miss Marple. This cost $8.

Second to last is from my very first Aliexpress order! Aliexpress is like an English Taobao, so you don't need a shopping service. The pros of this site are low prices and huge variety, as well as not needing a shopping service like with Taobao. The cons are that many items are knock-offs and the quality of these items are a gamble, and unlike with a shopping service that will wait for all your items from various shops to arrive, the items will arrive separately if you order from different stores. I only ordered two relatively cheap items for my first order. I actually saw this dress first on Taobao, so I was excited to see it on Aliexpress! I love the dotted pattern, it's so happy! This cost only $13.

Lastly is the item I'm probably most excited about - this 90s-esque smiley purse/backpack!! I've been looking for a new happy-colored purse as mine is old and the fake leather is flaking a bit. This is absolutely perfect for my life! This was almost $30, so a little pricey considering it's more then likely a knock-off, but it's so cute I couldn't resist. 

So that's what I'm waiting on, and I'll do an actual haul/first impressions when I receive the items! 

What items are you waiting on?

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?

10 Favorite Etsy Shops Part One!!

The holidays are near and it’s time to stock up on gifts and stocking stuffers for your family, friends, or yourself! What better then to give to two people at once - the gift recipient and the gift maker? This is why I love Etsy.

Etsy is like an Amazon or Taobao for homemade and vintage goods as well as crafting materials. It’s most known for having lots and lots of stores by artists on it. You can find anything there, from zines, to wedding rings, to artwork, to clothing…pretty much anything you could think of. 

I am probably going to buy most if not all of my friends’ gifts on Etsy this year. As an artist, I want to do everything I can to support other artists. So I’m going to recommend my favorite Etsy shops, ten at a time. Note that I may or may not have ordered from each of these shops so I cannot always speak for quality and timeliness and such. Also, I’m going to provide a link HERE to my general Etsy favorites list, which is very diverse, and not everything in that list is from a shop I’ll be mentioning.

Kawaii Power Up

Kawaii Power Up is actually the first Etsy store I ever made a purchase from, and a favorite with me and my friend. My review can be found HERE. This shop specialized in cute and nerdy accessories. My favorite items from this shop are the dust plugs! I feel like they are the most reasonably priced - although her shop is very well priced for what you get - and the most unique. The shop includes free goodies with every purchase as well! 

Nerdy Little Secrets

Much like the previous store, Nerdy Little Secrets specializes in kawaii and sometimes nerdy accessories perfect for all cute fashions. However, this store’s accessories are much more softer in appearance. I feel like this shop is a little more diverse then Kawaii Power Up, and has also been open for longer. Their prices are very fair, although wait time for certain items is a little bit long. 

Starlight Deco Dream

Starlight Deco Dream is a wonderful shop. It’s main draw is jewelry and accessories based on anime series, such as Madoka and Sailor Moon. Again, the prices are very fair. My favorite item from the shop right now is the giant “mahou shoujo” necklaces! This shop is a must for fans of magical girl anime!

Miss Alphabet

“Your one-stop shop for all things Barbie, Fairy Kei, and pastel goth!” Miss Alphabet is mostly a clothing store that caters all shapes and sizes. With sparkling fabrics and bows and lace everywhere, this store is great if you want clothing to catch the eyes of others. The prices are a bit high, but everything is custom made and very high quality. 

Bity Kity

Bity Kity is another accessory store, and everything is very pastel pink and purple! I don’t have much to say about this shop that hasn’t been said about the others, but this shop also offers very fair prices. They also have custom and pre made decoden phone cases!

Beagle Cakes Art & Illustration

This shop focuses on very cute and stylized stickers, prints, and cards. Most of the art is original, but there are also sets of Sailor Moon stickers. The shop also offers custom chibi prints! For what you get, the prices are extremely reasonable.

Mayshallwin

Mayshallwin is another store that offers cute stickers, though this one focuses on characters from anime and the like, especially Pokemon. The art is very cute and stylized. The only qualm I have is that the prices are a bit high. For example, for one dollar, you can get…one sticker. However, the owners seem to be students, so it’s a bit understandable.

AW Recycled Journals

I’m a little hesitant to list this shop, because there are so many one-of-a-kind journals in this shop that I don’t want bought up, hahaha! This store features recycled journals, as in, journals that are made from VHS covers, record sleeves, and there are even a few made from board game boxes and cereal boxes! For something this cool, the prices are great. As a journal/sketchbookphile, this store is heaven. 

Ready to Stare

This shop features plus size clothing and statement jewelry, and wants for others to rock the way they look, no matter how that may be. My favorite item of theirs are earrings made from giant dinosaur toys. The prices are great and their models and stock photos are beautiful. This store has a very street fashion/soft ghetto feel.

Thanks for reading!! See you later!!

Life Update: Three OOTDs, Zines, and Etc.

I haven't posted in ages, have I? -_- There's quite a few reasons for that, which I'll talk about later. Firstly, let's talk outfits!

About a month (yeesh, a whole month) ago, me and my bestie decided to get dolled up in lolita and just hang out around the local college campus. Miraiina is actually pretty new to lolita, and this was her first time going out in it! It's something that can be very scary, but she said that having me with her helped, so yay. We really didn't do much, but we did film an OOTD video, which, when it's uploaded, will be linked to HERE. Below are both of our outfits!!

Miraiina's look~!

OP: Bodyline

Socks: Bodyline

Shoes: Bodyline

Purse: Loris...?

Accessories: Many Etsy stores!

Pink & White Delight

JSK: Bodyline

Bolero: Off-brand (Target?)

Socks: Off-brand

Shoes: Bodyline

Purse: Loris

Wig: L-email

Accessories: AP, factoffrills, Etsy, off-brand

My second OOTD came maybe three weeks or so ago? Pretty much, I wanted to dress up, and I wanted to be PINK. Me and Miraiina got matching pink jelly shoes, and I've been wearing them pretty much any excuse I get. Now, I want to say something about this outfit. I'm plus sized. I have fat on me. I jiggle. So I was kind of self conscious wearing these shorts, but I wanted to because I hadn't all summer. And you know what, I felt cute in them. So wear what you want, guys and gals :)

Unfortunately this is the best and only shot I got x_x 

Top: Walt Disney World

Shorts: WalMart

Shoes: A'gaci (Brand is Bamboo)

For the third OOTD, I'm really feeling fall. Fall brings out my inner goth, so I like to wear dark clothes and such. I had a lot of fun with this outfit, and honestly I felt wonderful. I did an OOTD video for this look, which can be found HERE. While I did get a lot of head shots (ahem, selfies) from this outfit, I didn't really get any full body pictures, so I had to take a screencap from the video XD 

I'm going to keep calling it Nu Goth because I can XD

Hat: Forever 21

Dress: Forever 21

Shoes: UNIF

Glasses: Vintage (from my fiance's parent's storage unit!!)

I've been kind of in a rut, lately. I won't really get into it, but I just haven't been very happy lately. I have some things I need to do, but I just can't find the energy to do it, and I end up sleeping through most of the day. Not very fun.

I have discovered a new show which everyone else has already discovered before me - Orange is the New Black! Wowwww this show is so, so good. From the first five minutes, I could tell that it was brilliantly written. I intended to watch it just to have on in the background while I do other things, but I literally cannot look away while it's on! I wholly recommend it! (If you are of the appropriate age, of course ^^)

Something else I've done which hasn't made me sad is CREATE ZINES. I've been in a creative/destructive mood and zines are the perfect outlet for that because they are so open format and can be whatever you want them to be. Like, thinking about them makes my brain tingly (in a good way, of course) and makes me feel like I can do anything. I'll be putting them up on Etsy once I have some printed. I'm planning on making a few different ones right now, but I'm sure I'll end up making loads of different ones *3* I'm going to a used bookstore tomorrow to find some books and magazines to cut up.

Also, I've been oddly comforted by pictures of plants, lately. Plants, fog, and water. Let me show you one of my favorites!!

Daisies! Water! Vintage filter!

Finally writing this, I feel a lot better. I've had this blog page open for about a week and a half, trying to finally write everything up and post it. I've just been so depressed, but hopefully I'll break through it soon. I'm going to edit a vlog I filmed today and watch more OITNB and draw some alien girls or something. I hope you all are having a wonderful day!!