My March Favorites!

March into April with some of my favorites from this past month.

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I've been a fan of Japanese music since I was a kid, most likely because I've been watching anime since I was five. As I got older, I began listening to J-Rock and J-Pop religiously. This month, I was reminded how much I dig "idol style" music. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has had my heart since "PonPonPon", but with her recent US tour, there has been a buzz about her in my local Lolita comm. Naturally, I became obsessed with her again. While watching countless hours of Kyary music videos, I came upon something wonderful: BabyMetal.

A sort of kawaii idol, hardcore metal hybrid, BabyMetal consists of three young girls (two middle schoolers and a high schooler) who dress in adorable punk/wa Lolita-esque dresses and sing sweet melodies over rocking beats. I'd briefly seen them mentioned on the Lolita Memes page on Facebook, but I didn't realized the wonder within. These two musical acts really reflect my current mindset of "kawaii riot" and they are just really, really exciting to listen to. 

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One of the big events I did this month was my first 5k fundraiser called Mary's Walk. It's sponsored by the owners of a local pub who lost a member of their family to cancer. Now hundreds of people come out to participate as runners and walkers. It was insane to see the amount of people and feel the sense of community. I was joined by Miss Allegra and my grandmother, as well as a few other family members. Our team raised over $1,000 for the cause!

My grandmother bought us socks that matched the promotional posters for the walk.

I enjoyed it so much that I've signed up for our local March of Dimes walk this coming May. I've left my donation badge below if you'd like to help me reach my goal for the walk! 

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Kawaii is pain, my friend.

Allegra got me this game for Christmas and I've been on and off playing for a while, but this month I sat down and did some hardcore bell scoring (thanks to Lin and Ko over on YouTube). There is just something about Animal Crossing: New Leaf that gets me hooked when I go to play it. It might be the fluffy villagers, the adorable downloadable content, or the rush of collecting bells to pay off your home loan, but once I start playing, I have to keep playing. 

I also got to "cross animals" with my friends via the interwebs, which always helps when you're in need (Allegra paid off the donations for my cobble stone bridge this time around!) Even though I am an "adult", this game is by far one of my favorites. 

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I have also been obsessed this month with the web and app versions of Luvocracy. It's a pretty simple set up: it's a recommendation site that pays you in store credit when other people buy via your recommendations (or "Luvs"). While the pay off isn't immediate, it's still a fun way to share your favorite and dream products with others, as well as checking out what's on other people's hot lists. There is also nothing more exciting than when you hit the Trending page (I've hit it three times this week~). 

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My last little favorite is kettlebells! If it was possible, I'd probably be in a relationship with one of these. Not only can you get them in cute colors and they fit so naturally in your grip, they burn a whopping 20 calories per minute! Wowzies! 

It's also nice because by finding workouts that incorporate kettlebells, you can get agility training, cardio, and strength training all at once. I've really liked chichihealthfitness on YouTube.

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I hope y'all liked this *overdue* list and found some stuff you'd like to try or things you also enjoy! 

~B

Mini Haul + Find Me!

Best news about today? Here in Southern Maine we hit 49 degrees! 

We might get more snow, but nothing can put a damper on my mood today. While out bumbling around the mall I noticed that my local Forever 21 now carries plus sizes! I took the opportunity to try on some cuties, but I did actually end up walking away with some stuff (which was a great surprise!) I've been trying to hold back on purchases lately and today was the first time in months I bought myself some items. So, yay for seemingly breaking a spell! 

Isn't it just so adorbs!

 I actually got the dress in normal sizing, but the jacket came from the plus line. They looked so cute together, I couldn't pass it up. I actually really want to wear this combo for the spring auditions at school, since it has the fun color (so they'll remember me) and the professional quality to it.

Kind of what it looks like on. Oh the dressing room selfies.

During our trip we also popped into Bath and Body Works. Though I can't burn candles at home, I fell in love with their new bakery collection (the Raspberry Peach Macroon is to die for!) I did give in and get one of the wall flowers so that I can keep my room smelling like summer. 

This was my second favourite scent from the bakery collection.

Overall, today was a great success!

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I also wanted to put in a bit of [shameless] self promotion. 

I can now be found on Bloglovin, Lovocracy, and Instagram! 

If you like what I do and want to see more of my life and/or what I like, feel free to browse around my other accounts! 

thank you and see you soon!

~B

Reformatting and a Return to the Blogosphere!

Oh, hello! I don't think we've talked in a while!

Where have you been? 

Classes have been rough and I took on double production assignments this semester. I assistant staged managed our production of Doubt and I am assistant costume designing The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Couldn't you have updated on vacation or weekends?

Well, I'm a bit lazy! I didn't have much to say (I could have thought of something, but I was far too lazy.) What matters is that I am back, right?

Reformatting? Why and what did you change? 

I got the idea from Allegra, who recently made her blog super fab and I kinda wanted to fall in suit. I missed blogging and I felt that I really did have things to say (I do have a handful of reviews I could do from my dealings around Christmastime.) So, I took out the Italian titles (because I felt they got in the way) and tried to make things more uniform. I will most likely stop doing OOTD, because I feel a lot of pressure around getting them done and when I don't, I hide under a rock and don't post for four or five months (whoops!) Here's to hoping for a cleaner and more understandable blog!

So, what are you going to post now? 

Hopefully, more reviews, perhaps some personal goal stuff (I've begun a long weightloss journey, so that might pique some interest,) and maybe some findings I stumble on while window shopping.

What's next for you [in the real world?]

I've been really focused on costuming, but I have some fun things popping up soon! I do have the Lolita meet up every so often, as well as my first independent costuming gig (Godspell,) as well as the previously mentioned Drood, a masquerade, looking for a summer job, and tons more. If I can get solid posts about some of this cool stuff, I will most likely write one.

I really am sorry for dropping off the face of the Earth. I hope we can start again and that you'll enjoy what I have coming up!

Look for a post relatively soon on a gift I got for Miss Allegra for Christmas!

Best Wishes,

~B

My YouTube Obsession!

So, school started yesterday! After two full weeks of back to back shifts at work, I get to jump right in to a project intensive school year! Don't get me wrong, I love Uni and I adore my classes this semester, but I just happened to take all the classes that require a portfolio of work at the as a final (Costuming, Production Management, and Creative Writing.) I stocked up on lots of binders for this very reason! Now I just need to balance work and the time I need to spend at the theatre for my other credits~

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Anywhosiwhatsits, I really wanted to talk about a little thing Miss Allegra showed me on YouTube over the weekend. 

This is make-up guru KlairedelysArt. I first watched the "Sloth" installation of her Seven Deadly Sins series and I fell in love. In my opinion she is the best on YouTube, mostly because of her professional and unique filming style (particularly with how she shows the products,) as well as her amazing attention to detail. This is also coming from a theatre student, so I have an affinity for gurus that do more theatrical tutorials versus someone who does a "Girls Night Out" look video. 

In any event, she has some crazy videos, ranging from full out looks that capture characters, to special effects tutorials ("I STAPLED MY NAIL!" is bonkers,) to body painting. Plus she does some everyday, civilian looks. 

She is also super lovely to listen to and her recent charitable acts are super heart warming. Please give her a watch, even if it's not your cup of tea, you have to see the talent this girl has! 

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Outfit from today! My cutesy sweater (Target), jean shorts (Torrid), tights (Target), crochet side booties (Target), and my flower crown (Forever XXI). You can tell I work at Target. 

My plan is to do a Rock Your Body! review next, although the promotion as passed (again.) I can't get on the ball can I?

~B

Update+Beach Box Review

Quick update on life comes first. I was going to do the following review earlier, but things ended up happening that prevented me from doing so. My biological father was killed in a motorcycle accident last week, which prompted me to go to my grandparents house for the week. I took a leave from (almost) all social media and spent time with family and close family friends. It was a week full of grieving, healing, and therapy.

If I learned anything it was that everything is natural and that it is okay to accept your humanity.

I am back at work and I have since returned to "real life".

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Now, after I threw some heavy stuff at you, I'm going to lighten this post up with my Beach Box review (finally!) The Beach Box comes with five products inside and costs $29.95 with tax. Being a LUSHie and an employee, I've been all about trying out all of the campaign products because, in all honesty, they are an amazing bang for your buck. 

Product: Ocean Salt

Regular Price: $21.95 for a small; $39.95 for a large

This was the real reason I picked up the Beach Box. I am a vigorous user of Ocean Salt (at least once a day,) and my plan had been to pick up a large pot before work. Alas, no luck. We were currently sold out and the only ones we had were in the boxes. What is a girl to do? Buy the gift box, of course. 

I love Ocean Salt because it makes my skin feel baby soft, as well as giving me that strong, astringent, clean feeling. It helps clean out my often acne prone skin and does a pretty nice job of keeping my skin clear. My strongest recommendation for this product, though, is to tone and moisturise if you use the product as frequently as I do. It's the only way to keep healthy skin because over exfoliation can make problematic skin worse! 

As with all gift box sets, this is a small version (smaller than the regular small pot), so I did have to go and purchase more when we got more in, but I did tide me over until then. Plus I got to try all of the following products because of it! 

Product: Seanik Shampoo Bar

Regular Price: $11.95

I am also a huge fan of the shampoo bars, mostly because I have so much hair and I have a tendency to take too much liquid shampoo when washing. I normally use New, which is a clove and cinnamon based bar that helps with hair growth. The Seanik was an interesting departure from the spiciness of New. My hair holds on to scents really well, so I was pleased with the lovely perfume the shampoo left in my hair. 

As for how it left my hair, it's been a bit more fly away than normal. It seemed to be quite fitting because of the whole sea theme, but it's been a bit irritating. Now, I did use a different shampoo once or twice during the time I used Seanik. My bangs seemed more in place and controlled with the other shampoo. I had heard from a friend that Seanik made her hair light and fluffy (in a bad way,) but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's awful. I'm sure if I did more to my hair, such as flat ironing and using hair spray to control my hair, it would be less noticeable, but c'est la vie!

This is also a mini size and, after using this every day, it has lasted me over a month. 

Product: Dream Cream

Regular Price: $26.95

This one is a baby, baby sample of Dream Cream. While working at LUSH I have learned that a little goes a long way with most of the products and that applies here. The mini pot is deeper than most of the sample pots and a dab of the cream will do an entire arm or leg. If used correctly, this can go a ways. 

As for the product, it is something I have gotten for my mother, both last Christmas and this year's birthday, because of her eczema. While I grew out of this condition when I was a child, I do occasionally dry out. I have since learned that this is also spectacular on razor burn because of it's healing and soothing properties. I have also heard tell that it is lovely for sun burns, too. It is super awesome. 

I actually just got more of this today, too (that story will be saved for later.)

Product: Sea Spray

Regular Price: $12.95

If you are like me and have been working all summer, you probably haven't been able to go to the beach. Super bummer. However, this hair mist will make you feel like you have! I like this because a few spritzes will help bring out some natural curls, making it look as if you've been hanging out in the salt water and air. I think it looks fabulous with ponytails in particular, but I think the best success I've had with it is applying it on someone else. It's just easier to control what the hair is doing and making it more stylable than just random fly aways. 

Product: Sea Vegetable Soap

Regular Price: Varies

This soap seems to change scent on me. Sometimes I can really pick up on the lavender and others it just smells really sea weedy (a la fresh Aqua Marina, aka not very good.) It doesn't leave too much of a perfume on my skin, so it's super maskable. On the other hand, the seaweed moisturises my skin pretty nicely, but I don't really get any of the exfoliation from the sea salt. 

It does have a lot of fallout, too. I had a similar experience with Sandstone leaving sand in my shower. It's a bit irritating to deal with for a little bit of softness, especially when I can just use a massage bar. I know there are people that really like this soap, but it just isn't what I want. And that's okay. 

Overall, pretty happy with the box. Some things I love, some I find just alright. It was nice to try out all this new stuff that I normally wouldn't, plus it brought the Beach to me! 

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So, I did get back to LUSH today and I have another haul, plus a new gift box to review! 

Rock Your Body Kit w/ Strawberry Fields Forever Massage Bar and Coconut Deodorant (which will be my next BIG review!), Dark Angels Facial Cleanser, Stepping Stone Foot Scrub, Sunnyside Bubble Bar, Rose Jam Bubbleroon, Honey I Washed The Kids Soap, Honey Trap Lip Balm, Hottie Massage Bar (it's Aerated!), Take Back The Tap Water Bottle.

And here's the outfit of the day! A crop sweater (Forever XXI), circle skirt (H&M), tights (Rite Aid), and new crochet side booties (Target).

Whoo! Now it's time for bed! 

~B

My Love of Lolita

It's been a while guys, but I had been planning a multi outfit post from all my days off. That was until the morning of the Lolita meet up I attended last Saturday. Something extraordinary happened.

While dressing in my frills and pettis, I was a bit scared. Though I had been accepted by those in my local comm (who are all amazingly wonderful,) I had yet to appear physically in front of my family in Lolita. Obviously they'd seen pics on Facebook and I've talked about it before, but it was different.

Don't get me wrong either, my family isn't nasty about my style choices: they have put up with my corsets, platform shoes, and strange make-up for years. Though they never mean to hurt, they like to tease. It's how they show their love sometimes. Yet, Lolita seemed different to me. Perhaps it was because it represents myself more than any other style and I feel so alive when I wear it. Goth was a part of me, too, but I never felt like I totally fit in. Which isn't to say that made me feel self concious either, but it's all different. I feel confident. I don't need validation, but it's a nice bonus. It can make or break my mood for the day.

So, knowing I would have to pass everyone in order to leave the house, I did get a bit anxious. I didn't want to leave with a weird taste in my mouth, but instead I was pleasantly surprised. My mom said I was cute (which is pretty normal, since she usually loves my fashion choices, if put together nicely,) and my sisters were less off put than they usually are. My dad did ask if I'd feel weird being in public in such outlandish clothes, but I assured him, being weird in a group is a cake walk. My grandmother loved my dress and my three-year-old God son said I looked very pretty. I suppose what shocked me most was my Uncle, who is normally the instigator, said how good I looked. It shocked even my mother. Everyone had extremely positive feedback.

I suppose what I wanted to say is that, regardless of the amount of confidence one has, it's so much nicer when there is also a strong support system. Being someone who likes different fashions across the board, my style varies from the norm more often than not. Though it is not always apparent, I know I am supported and that day is a reminder to me. I feel blessed to have that support, because so many in Lolita (and in other subgroups) don't have that, yet they are still strong enough to stand on their own two feet and feel beautiful. I commend them tremendously for that.

The girls of the Maine comm. The gif is made by the wonderful Elise.

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On a less serious note, the meet up was at the zoo and was awesome! I loved seeing all the girls again and saw cutesy animals (and didn't melt in 100 degree weather like the last meet up.) At the same time, I know my wallet is going to start dying because of all the JSKs I want to buy for future meet ups and general tom foolery. If I didn't have such a diverse astheic, I'd wear all Lolita all the time. But, my inner Kawaii Riot Girl won't allow it. 

I did get a lovely outfit shot, too! This is a white version of the Bodyline OP from my PortCon posts, paired with the same hand me down cardigan, white tights (Target), and Jellypop Mary Janes (DSW Shoes). I topped it off with my sister's white lace bow (Claire's). 

There are more reviews ahead! First will be the Birthday duo I got from Sephora, followed by the Beach Box from LUSH!

Ooh La La!

~B

Festival, Our Summer Tradition

The other day was the fourth year my friends and I went to the local Old Homes Day. I love going to this event because I get to see a lot of my old friends from high school, since they all live locally in the summer time. It is the one chance I see some of them due to differing schedules.

I also enjoy it because I love dressing up for different events. The original plan for the day had been to meet up with the other Maine Lolitas for a meet up at the Clam Festival, but that went down the drain. My intent, though, was to wear Lolita to Old Homes Day in honour of all my Lolita friends, but I forgot my petticoat and  it was so ungodly hot. Thinking back on it, it would have been awful wearing tights, shorts, a petticoat, two sports bras, and an OP. Ugh. Not worth it.

Instead I went with an edgy, cute look.

I really loved this outfit. We have a flowy peter pan collared tank (Forever XXI), jean shorts (Torrid), patterned stockings (eBay), and a borrowed pair of patent leather Doc Martens. 

Arguably this outfit was better for the hellish weather we've been experiencing here in Maine in recent days.

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Today I went to a special Body Care and the Art of Massage training session for LUSH. It was so wonderful, especially since I got to learn more about the new Spas coming to North America this year. I really need to take a trip down to NYC soon, even more so now. We'll see how that works out. 

See you soon,

~B