Thursday, August 15, 2013

Here's yet another League look!

If you hate these, I'm sorry.

I really am.

But here you go :)

No, most of my looks aren't meant to look like their actual outfits in game (but if you want to run around in a sweater vest and teddy bear backpack, more power to you). They're merely inspired instead, with my own little touches. I really hope you enjoy these, and if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

For non gamer girls, here is an ode to your childhood, with quirky details like bear rings and heart studded purses.

Note: No flaming bear included.

Best Fashion Sites Part One

1) MinkyShop.Com
I found this site a couple of months ago when browsing for legit Japanese clothing sites, and was so happy to find this one. It's decently priced, maybe only a teensy bit more expensive than Forever 21, although I think that considering it's actual Japanese clothing, it's totally worth it. After checking out other customer's experiences, I can say that the quality is decent and the transaction process was smooth. Highly recommended if you're looking for something a little different.

Pros: Something different, lots of cute styles, something for everyone (there's even a cosplay section for those interested)

Cons: Stuff runs out fairly quickly, most stuff comes only in one size fits all

A Few of my Favorite Picks:


Dodostyle Cute Korean Hoodie Long Top - $14.27



 
 
Football Stripe Knee High Socks - $11.10

 Scallop Tie-Waist Culottes Shorts - $31.74
 
 
2) Modcloth.Com
Dresses galore! This site, while at times expensive, is one of my favorites. It can be classy, retro, modern, whatever you want! Plus, they sell the cutest quirky stuff, like band aid plug covers and brain cell plushies. If you have an upcoming event, you should check the site out for your next big fashion escapade.
 
A Few of my Favorite Picks:
 


Windy City Dress - $64.99
 
Lady Love Song Dress - $79.99
 


Birthday Magic dress - $49.99 (Originally $99.99)
 
I'll try to post some mor later, but formatting was actually kind of tough for this post and took me awhile ^_^
 
Have a nice evening!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Review : Ink by Amanda Sun

A few days ago I mentioned that in my mini haul post that I got a book called Ink by Amanda Sun, with a promise of writing a review. Well, here it is :)

First Impressions:

The thing that got me to even check this book was its cover. I mean, it's GOREGOUS. LOOK AT IT (shoves cover into your face).


And of course the premise. The thing that first drew me into it was the fact that it was placed in Japan AND dealed with Japanese mythology. I wasn't really in for the romance though, but like majority of today's YA novels, there had to be one (good OR bad).

(If anyone is interested in reading this, I warn you of spoilers)

So here's the thing. I love long books. Long books are great. That means if you enjoy the story, there's so much more to come, and if you don't well - then you put it down like all the rest. And that's fine. But what I didn't like was the RAMBLING in the book that made it so long. I felt like at times the main character, Katie, was just on constant repeat for a good chunk of the book. And only on one thing too: her love interest.

"I LOVE HIM TOMOHIRO SO MUCH. SO MUCH. DID I MENTION THAT I LOVE HIM?! NOW I MUST GO ENDANGER EVERYONE TO BE WITH HIM! BE GONE PEASANTS!"

That last sentence summed up half of the novel.

The characters were bearable, with the exception of the other guy who is totally in love with her. Every time she's alone, BOOM. There he is. And you need to read about his silver earring for the millionth friggen time, cause then the whole book would be a disaster.

Her friends were okay, but like Katie, were on repeat the whole time. "Don't date him. He is bad. No Katie. Bad Katie. Don't date him Katie..." etc etc. They were nothing to really care about, and I felt like they were just thrown in to stress how bad her boyfriend was, even though, like all other YA romances, there's "more" to him than a tough facade.

3347

Despite these character and writing flaws, I loved a few choice things about this book that made me keep going (and will probably make me continue to read the series when she comes out with the second book), such as:
The imagery. I kid you not, Sun actually put in some beautiful descriptions in this book, mostly of the cherry trees. I felt like I was really there, something that doesn't happen a lot to me while reading books. I wouldn't be surprised if the author herself wrote it while in Japan.

Her incorporation of Japanese into the novel. I actually learned a few words in Japanese while reading, and considering how much I love the culture, that was a HUGE factor into my review. She even put in a little glossary in the back of the book for you to check out if you don't know what something means. And if you don't feel like going back, Sun makes the meaning obvious for those familiar with context clues :)

And despite the fact that Katie obsesses over him every minute, I somewhat enjoyed the romance. Of course, it wasn't the best one ever, but still. Sun managed to make the obsessing tolerable to a degree. And I was pretty happy that Tomo actually pushed her away persistently, unlike Twilight, where he just went to Italy to dazzle a tourist attraction and then give up on leaving Bella. In Ink, there was multiple points where he made it clear that he didn't want here there, and forced her at times to do so.

Overall Score: 3.5 stars. It was a nice debut for Sun, and as she reads over other reviews I'm sure she'll improve her second book greatly. Looking forward to it :)

Oyasumi Nasai (good night)!

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Ashe

Yes, I have another one of these. I can't help it. They're so fun to make! It combines my two favorite things: fashion and video games (and not in that order).

Despite her somewhat bad early game, Ashe is my second favorite ADC (first being Caitlyn of course). One of my favorite aspects of Ashe though was her skins. Each is different, and each are actually all likable. Thus, I created this beauty.

In her model in game and also in her splash, she's shown with a smokey eye, but I didn't want her makeup to take away from her outfit. Because of this, I selected the Lorac pallet, which can easily be turned into a natural smokey eye instead of the intense black one originally shown. Oxblood nail polish is a must for this outfit, and for the perfume I chose a nod to her weapon of choice with Lovestruck by Vera Wang. Plus, I could actually see it going with the theme. It's floral with a nice woodys background.

Now if you aren't into League, that's fine. I would describe this for you as a woodys take on today's chic. Plus, the socks peeking over the boots is a big trend right now (a comfortable trend! yay!).

Friday, August 2, 2013

Mini-Haul!

So I've recently been spoiled to a mini-haul, and I'm excited to show my items to you guys! Sure, it's nothing groundbreaking, but you might avoid a couple disappointments with this, so i encourage you to read on :)

The first thing, of first TWO things I got were this adorable OPI nail polishes.


Berlin There Done That (Left), Thanks a Windmillion (Right)

And may I say LOVE. So far I've only tried Berlin There Done That, which is a beautiful gray-taupe, but I'm really looking forward to trying Thanks a Windmillion. I feel like Thanks a Windmillion will be perfect for the transition from summer to fall with it's pretty gray-blueness. Yes, I just said that. Anyway, the color was a little streaky, but nothing noticeable unless you're looking for it. I'd give it a 4.5/5.

Next I got two shampoos: Bed Head TIGI Urban Anti-Dotes Shampoo in Number 1 (that's a mouthful) and Matrix Biolace Normalizing Shampoo.
With the Bed Head Urban Anti-Dotes there's 3 levels: the lower the number, the lower the strength I guess you could say. Here's how the site describes each:

One: Re-Energizing shampoo for a daily pick-me-up
Two: Recovery Shampoo for a Moisture Hit
Three: Resurrection shampoo for a powerful intervention

So since I just got these today, I was only able to use one, and I used the Bed Head. The first thing I noticed when opening the bottle (besides the adorable vibrant packaging) was the smell. OHMIGOSH. Green apples galore! It was amazing! I was kind of sad when I had to close the bottle. My hair is naturally shiny, but I did notice a nice boost when I combed it out.  It did what it said it would, and it did it well. I love this shampoo :)

The last thing that I got was a book *SQUEAL*. It's been awhile since I've gotten a new book, the last being Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (highly reccommened by the way). Anyway, this new book is called Ink, a book by Anna Sun.




I got it on my Kindle for about $10, and I'm a little more than half way through it. It's 384 pages long, but sometimes I feel like it's longer than it should be. As in, I could've been done with it already and be satsified. Another thing I love is the COVER. I mean, look at it! Gorgeous! And throughout the book, there's actually ink sketches to go along with whatever is being drawn.

Now I don't want to do a full out review until I'm done, otherwise it would be an injustice to the book and the reader. I'll probably be done in a day, and when that happens, I'll be sure to post a review. Make sure to check it out though, because so far I'm loving it!

What I'm Listening To: Shake Me Down // Cage the Elephant

Biggest Physical Fear: Star fish. And Flies.

Favorite Fashion Trend: Lace Little Black Dresses. Add a pair of nude heels and red lipstick, and BOOM. Insta glamour.