How Make-Up and Clothes Can Make the Biggest Difference In Someone's Life-Growing Into Yourself Despite Adversity Inner and Outer

I decided to do a bit of a personal blog. One I've kind of touched base on before with gyaru but not as something as a whole before. This is going to be heart to heart. Mainly because I've realized especially as of late, there is so much pressure among girls to fit a certain criteria. Especially in the J-Fashion and Cosplay community. I have a lot of younger girls, high school age and girls just starting out in college who lurk on my instagram or friends who tell me that I've inspired them to be beautiful. 

That is such a bizarre thing to hear because, once upon a time I was that person. Hell, I still am that person. I take inspiration from you guys because you're the driving force behind me not just up and quitting what I do. As some of you know, it's been a difficult year and a half for me. A lot of things have happened to really break me and really beat down any self worth or confidence I've had about myself. I've never felt so exiled and alone before... Your guy's encouragement even from far away and the love for this blog...the fashion I do...that's what's been pushing me through. If it weren't for that I would have placed every brand item I've owned on a sales album and simply would tell you guys, "I quit." 

However, that isn't the case. Mainly because, this is the one thing that makes me happy, Beforehand I had many many things that made me happy. They were a huge part of life and a big driving force. Other people and things motivated me because I have never been able to motivate myself. Why you ask? I am incredibly prone to failure. On the internet I am able to show some of you guys who aren't as close to me, the best version of myself. Realistically, I am clumsy, a cry baby, I recently realized that I suffer from anxiety and a severe form of it, I'm incredibly forgetful. Absolutely *nothing* comes to me first try or even second. Everything is always complicated with me because some how I am prone to having bad luck. And instead of fighting like I have tried to all my life, I have grown recently to just accept these flaws for personality traits or bits of it being a part of who I am. I can't keep anyone in my life for too long. However, I have kept Japanese pop culture and fashion culture in life for as long as I can remember. Honestly, I don't remember a life without it. 

When I was younger I was the girl who wasn't allowed to grow up too soon like her peers. I knew thirteen year old's who's right of passage was getting her belly button pierced. I knew girls who were allowed to wear make up and nail polish at seven. I was stuck with Lipsmackers lipgloss. A lot teachers even insisted I was 'immature'. And at the time my mother insisted that I was acting as a seven year old or an elementary school child should. 

That did not make it any less harder for me however. The thing about being young is that you care what other think about you and since I couldn't fit in, I wanted to disappear and not be noticed at all. This went in straight into high school. I wasn't one for make up until I got into high school honestly. Beforehand I had always hid behind books and manga. I'd always bring them to lunch either to have something to look at if I was alone or for it to be a conversation starter among a couple of people maybe. I was lucky enough to have one or two friends to trade off mangas with in junior high school especially. I probably had suffered from anxiety even then and it was definitely social anxiety. My books or writing was my barrier. When I wasn't at school hiding behind a book, I was on the internet making friends behind a computer screen. While I wasn't a well-spoken individual or considered a good writer, I made a lot of friends on the internet who had a lot of things in common with me. This was before webcams or before a lot of people had webcams, so nobody could judge me for what I looked like or for my awkwardness. 

Because of this, I tended to not really care what I looked like. Occasionally I would try to dress nice. Especially my first year of high school. For some reason I wanted to feel grown up even though I wasn't. Much like the girls who come to me now and say, 'you're so pretty'...I felt that way about a good portion of people. I was spazzy and awkward honestly. I loved my hobbies but I did care what others thought of me and I held back a great deal on how I wanted to dress or wanted to wear. I didn't get as much experimenting in as I would have wished to. HENCE some really awkward high school pictures.

For a good four of my life, I tried to blend in. I dyed my hair black in hopes I wouldn't be questioned for why I was 'white' and my dad who was actually my stepdad was 'Vietnamese'. No I wasn't raised fully with traditional customs. I was from Tennessee and moving to California was like moving to a different country. However, I did want to blend in and be accepted for a couple of different reasons that I won't disclose on this blog. I never understood and took offense to the terms 'white washed' or 'white people' because I just considered those actions that people considered 'white' as "growing up in the United States/North America". It made me wonder what 'white washed' would have been considered in Europe. Because of this yet again, I didn't too much confidence because I wanted to blend in. Standing out might have been a bad thing and nobody likes a show off right? 

I think I got my first MAC eye shadow in sophmore year. I had tried a girl's single shadow in freshman year. It was a rich gold color and I had fallen in love. So in love that the next school year I was pretty determined to get a set of my own. I ended up with three single shadows at 16 years old. For me? It kind of a 'right of passage' moment and it's funny that something as simple as eyeshadow suddenly made me feel beautiful or pretty. Even if it was just temporary. Eventually as time went on, I got my first MAC lipstick and an eyeliner. I started getting into make up quite heavily by junior and senior year. That didn't mean I applied it well however. 

For awhile, I was in visual kei. It never meant I *was* visual kei but I wanted to be. I looked up to Uruha for the Gazette. He had pretty hair and eyes and I didn't want to be with him, hell I wanted to look *like* him. For awhile, I went through a "boy-stage". I didn't want to be girly at all. Jeans and t-shirts were fine, my hair was always almost layered and cut off short, and make up was used to accentuate my eye shape.It was actually really horrible. I had no skill.  I remember my first day of college at San Francisco slowly lacking a care for what other people thought of me. It was a slow process. I had finally (and horribly at done so) stripped the black out of my hair by them and was just getting into Japanese fashion as of a year ago by then. My first day of class I rocked a Miyavi tour tank top, BPN accessories, and a BPN throw over jacket that I *still* have a wear to this day. I probably looked intimidating as fuck with awkward raccoon eyes. 

The year before in high school, I kind of was starting to grow into myself just as much as any of you guys were. I lived a bit of a double life. I still do. I was getting just slightly girlier by getting into lolita fashion. I bought my first lolita pieces from Black Peace Now before that brand died off. Eventually I gave away the skirt to an old high school friend because as special as the skirt was to me, I wanted someone else to experience what I experienced first wearing a piece of clothing from the fashion I had liked and they had liked too. It made me feel beautiful and powerful as stand-out as it was and bold as it was. 

The lines between dressing 'boyish' and 'feminine' were a bit blurred for me for awhile. I wasn't sure if it was my sexuality or just the fact that I liked being an chameleon but I had a love for all fashion and there's this odd stigma that you have to choose one and one genre only. 

Eventually as I grew older, I saw this as bullshit. I dressed how I wanted and grew to appreciate being sexy or girly. I had no high school dress code in place to tell me what was appropriate. I was an adult as bought clothes with my own money so my parents couldn't exactly dictate it even though they were convinced I wasn't being who I really was. But in all honestly, this had been who I was for the longest time. Just reclusive by expectations and the need to not stand out. Mainly due to wanting to be accepted by others and my anxiety. If I stood out I would get unwanted attention and I wasn't sure if I was up for that challenge. 

At first, the unwanted attention was hard. I can't tell you how many times I've been unwantedly 'cat called'/'hit on' or insulted for the way I dress. For awhile, I feared for my safety. Especially in lolita fashion because people fear what they don't understand. I remember one time I was at the train station waiting for a ride and while I looked pretty normal, maybe I stood out, I had a Baby the Stars Shine Bright petticoat in a really cute shopping bag from the store in San Francisco. It was evening time and I was mugged. I'm not sure if it's because I was in the wrong area for who I was or it was because I stood out for the way I dressed but I was the first to get hit. By grown men. Blood was all over my Baby bag and there still to this day is blood spots that I still can't get out of the sides of my furry BPN bear bag. If anything the chain on that bag saved me because it was sturdy and for some god unknown reason, I was able to get away in once piece. I've been cautious going out by myself dressed in anything or carrying anything 'lolita' or brand related on public transit ever since. 

The week after was Cherry Blossom Festival and I cosplayed as Sheryl Nome from Macross Frontier. I loved Sheryl so much as a character and as scared as I was to go back on that train with a full face of make up and in cosplay (I had done the best make up I had ever done at 18 in my opinion) I did. I sang my heart out awkwardly overcoming the fear of being beaten down again and letting my anxiety kick me again because yes, I was singing in front of a huge crowd of people. That was a bit scary. The more I cosplayed the more I got bullied for it. But the more I wanted to improve.... I at one point was over weight. I was called things like 'the-fat Sheryl' or whatever due my really bad skin... 

For awhile, I was afraid of the world in general. Especially men, admittedly because I was assaulted by men. I was hit on and cat called by men. I was afraid to be active on the internet because I was bullied a bit to where it was overkill. Just over my weight. I wondered to the point of where I wondered if being feminine and this fashion lifestyle that I loved was worth all of this. I loved Japanese fashion and cosplay so much. And I appreciated a girl. I appreciated and had slowly grown to accept that I was born as who I was. Nobody should have even beaten me down or rejected me for that. Anxiety or no anxiety. Weird clothes or not. 

Eventually, I discovered gyau fashion and it just stuck in the midst of my own self discovery and journey I went through for a year. I've told this bit of the story before how I found it in high school and kind of wanted to be that but held back. It made me feel powerful and sexy even though I really wasn't that on the inside. Without the clothes and make up, who was I? I still question myself on this. But temporarily I felt beautiful and I felt worth something. Until recently admittedly. I know that I am a decent person but the anxiety has came back and perhaps, I am not enough.

But what pushes me is the fact that I've went through so much self discovery and I've literally fought and endured to become what I am now. No, I don't fit the mold that's been created. I'm not 'kawaii' and tiny and soft spoken. I'm not 'sexy' or voluptuous and always up for anything. I'm quite a boring person despite the way I dress. I'd like to consider myself the in between.   I'm not cute but I'm not sexy. I am me. And I've grown to accept this person and I'd like to hope others are capable of accepting me as well. 

Make up has been my answer for the longest time. It helped me improve my cosplay before I retired from that scene. My last go at cosplay I conquered Sheryl and placed in a CosMode (which was pretty cool btw) and did Blue Rose (which was really out there for someone like me). Make up helped me discover gyaru and improve on my lolita. I helped me realize that if I ever wanted to delve back into visual kei-esque fashion I could with a new set of skills. Owning brand has made me feel pretty. I have a new appreciation for details and clothes construction. It gave me a bit of confidence I never had before because it stood out. I started to realize that being different wasn't such a bad thing.

But the point to this whole ordeal I've written is, we've all been there. We all start somewhere. I'm sure at one point all of us have wanted to belong and then discovered it was okay not to. You guys push me so much not to give up on something that I have loved for such a long time. It reminds me that at one point, I fought to accept who I was with all of the mistakes but also accept that I will never be some beauty queen. I will never be model material or desirable in the way that's seen as desired. It's frustrating at times but make up and clothes have helped me kind of cope with that. It's been my mask even though it has been me. I want to inspire other people to go beyond me. There are so many young girls (you know who you are and you know I'm talking about you) that are capable of so much. I wish that at their age I had been as comfortable and as progressive as they are. They make me feel like I have to be a good example despite my mistake and the pressure has definitely been on. 

It's okay to be who you are. It's okay to be boyish or girlish, or whoever the fuck you want to be. Don't let society dictate who you are and who you are not. We are our own worst enemies and that's a battle we have and should only have with ourselves. If you don't feel pretty then don't let someone force you into saying that you are. Go on that journey to improve yourself even if you don't reach your ideal self. However, do know the difference between improvement and self harm. I don't want to be known as the person who encouraged some crazy stuff so I'll put that out there. There is nothing wrong with being the best version of yourself and there's nothing wrong with being in the process of discovering that. It took me a long time and I feel like a better person because of it. All my clothes have memories and I can't just up and leave that or push that away. This fashion and life style is a huge part of me just like any hobby would be to anyone else. 

I haven't conquered my anxiety but I have learned to cope. I have learnt that clothes and make up aid me at least socially. I'm not as afraid to say hello or show my face when I am the best version of myself I can be. So don't let anyone tell you that this is fake. It is you, it's maybe just a way of giving you strength like it did me. I'm so grateful that I found the hobbies I found and met the people I have met. If it weren't for that I might be reclusive completely and would have missed out on a lot.... #weallstartsomewhere 

Circle Lenses Review: QT Iced Blue Featuring Popteen Style SwanKiss/Larme Style Fashion + Plus Haul Video

Hello everyone~! I am back with another post considering I just received a fashion related package just yesterday which for sure inspired me to do a new look. About a month ago I ordered a couple of circle lenses from KiwiBerry-1 Shop which was having a huge closing sale. Circle lenses were 8.00 a pop and I needed to seriously take advantage because it was just way too good of a deal. I decided instead of ordering my 'go-to' lenses or colors that this would be the perfect chance to try out new colors and brands.

One set of lenses that caught my eye was the QT Iced Blue pair because it was such a bright blue color but the ring around the edges was soft. For anyone who is keeping up with the trends in circle lenses and make up recently, circle lenses that are more for color (and natural color especially) and not for the limbal ring around the edges. Before a lot of circle lenses had a really thick limbal ring creating the illusion of doe-like glossy doll eyes. Now a day the whole look whether your a lolita or gyaru, has toned down a ton. I thought this was a good chance to finally try the new trend out as hesitant as I was. I have naturally light eyes and the new trend is a bit like what my own eyes are like but bigger, so I didn't know if the contacts would be noticeable or if anyone would be able to tell the difference.

Thankfully when I tried them on they were absolutely perfect. Natural but noticeable due to the color and enlargement. They're definitely not to be considered 'dolly eye' contacts. They're a lot more mature looking for sure!

These lenses are a yearly lense and the diameter is 14.5. The contact material is incredibly soft compared to my Vassen or Princess Mimi circle lenses. They were so comfortable that I almost forgot they were in my eye and when I took them out after a good eight hours there was no redness to my eyes what-so-ever. Which is AMAZING because my eyes usually are always red after I remove contacts. Because they were 14.5 in diameter they were a lot easier to put into my eye as well. In all I am incredibly impressed with these circle lenses to have not ever heard over the QT Line. Now I'm just worried over where else to find them once these expire! These are for sure a new favorite for me!

These lenses also inspired me to do a new style/look. Because the lenses are so nude, they really reminded me of the SwanKiss shop girls and Saaya Hayashida, the designer herself. I've seen Popteen girls also rock this like nothing depending on what look the magazine is aiming for. I know a lot of the Ageha models are also trying out lenses like these. I think for agejo tho I'll still to my huge eyes, huge lashes, and thick limbal ring on the edges. However, I have never tried the Popteen style as seriously as before nor have I tried to emulate the look that SwanKiss aims for. Larme Kei is incredibly cutesy and for awhile I was calling the look 'Pop Gyaru' before I knew the look had a name. Certain looks that are sexier I still count as 'Pop Gyaru' because it's really cute but sexy and Barbie like. So sticking slightly to my gyaru roots, I aimed for a new look with these lenses.

I curled my hair and put it up into a side ponytail with a sparkly gold ribbon to really have my hair have that 50s-esque cutesy look that I've seen a ton of the magazine models flawlessly pull off. As for my eye make up, it's the Naked 3 palette. All the pink colors with a white/pinkish highlight at the brow bone. The crease is done by a dark pinky brown color. I used the Etude House 'Pearl' Tear Drop liner for that white/pink highlight color and then went over with the Urban Decay Gold Heavy Metal liner. For the cheeks I packed on a dark pink blush I have in the 24 Karat TokiDoki Travel Palette I have.  I placed a couple layers of loose glitter ontop for a really sparkly cheek look that I'm seeing all the girls wear! Lashes are the Diamond Lash Dolly Eye and Dollywink No 05 for the bottom lashes. I placed Daiso jewels around my eyes much like the SwanKiss girls do in a good portion of their photos! My lipstick color was Mac's 'Saint Germain' All I was missing was pink extensions or something. That and of course the SwanKiss clothing or Larme Kei wardrobe.

I wore gold and pink with white because I wanted the key piece to kind of be my Sailor Moon charm/necklace.

What do you guys think? Does this look suit me?

I think I almost have too thin of a face and have aged too much to be cutesy but I triiiied. Regardless it was fun to do and was a nice challenge. It was something different for a change!!


Anyway, while I was dressed I did another video to tide you guys over. As you'll see I have two more sets of circle lenses to eventually review as I

open them. Along with some other goods to show like Jesus Diamante, my new phone and laptop, Anna Sui, and Sailor Moon goodies and just so much more! Until next time lovelies!!!

Mid-April Updates! Shopping, Study Days, Cherry Blossom Festival, and Lunch Meetings

Hello guys! Long time no speak yeah? So for awhile I was a bit occupied with school. I had a project, exams, a couple of essays. Some of you know the routine and general madness that comes with being a college student. 

First off, I've done a TON of shopping this past month. I blame having a really tiny income but finding really good sales on things. It's good to treat yourselves after exams you know? It's my motivation to do well!! The better I do in my classes the more justified my spending habits!

The first purchase I made was a new laptop. For awhile I was borrowing the family laptop and it just came with a ton of problems because my family isn't computer savy. While this isn't some decked out laptop with a ton of features or a fancy MacBook Pro that all the bloggers and cool kids are sporting, I did end up compromising with myself to get a Dell Laptop that was on sale. It's pretty basic. I know a lot of people like the touch screen features that come with the newer laptops and like Windows 8. I kind of loathe it and it isn't too compatible with this laptop. But the memory was good and it was a decent price. It's for school, socializing, and blogging. It's pretty big and light. An upgrade from my 2009 Gateway Netbook and an upgrade for the laptop I was borrowing from the family. So I am satisfied. 

The next purchase was such a steal! My inner hime gyaru squealed in delight. I have been such a huge fan of Jesus Diamante and La Parfait since my high school days. The thing about hime gyaru though is that it is literally the 'princess' life style. Those girls bust serious bank. They're not afraid to blow cash on their brands and life style. That was what drew me away from Hime Gyaru as much as lolita because they're not only essentric but incredibly expensive. Regardless I have always loved the bling, big hair, dolly lashes, the baby doll cuts and frills on dresses...rose embellishments. When I saw that someone was selling Jesus Diamante Japadoll Mules in white for 30.00 I had to grab at them. It's not a dress. One day the GOAL is a dress but for now, I'm incredibly happy with my heels. I plan to coordinate them with a lolita dress that I have that's white. I've had it just sitting in my closet for the longest time because I've had no proper shoes to match it. When I saw these I had to have them. Originally I wanted the coveted and very popular heart heels from Yumetenbo that I already have in black because they're also equally as adorable and a great alternative for hime/princessy shoes. But that didn't work out so I guess I kind of upgraded to the real deal and went for the grown-up brand Diamante. I'm so thrilled with them. They're so delicate and beautiful. I can't wait to wear them out and feel like a true princess!!! 

A couple days later I went on Sephora and bought a back up of my Kat Von D foundation that I use for everyday. I LOVE this stuff as heavy as it is. It gets the job done for someone like me who has incredibly troubled skin. I've used it for a good two years and it's never failed me. I also found out that Urban Decay's Ammo Palette was being discontinued and was 16.00. That was such a good deal. I already have the older version of this palette but because I use it so much I decided why not? It's 16.00 and supposedly the eye shadows are reformulated. I'll go into detail in another blog post with a proper review of this palette and how to utilize it into Japanese Fashion! It's a beautiful well rounded palette. 



Later on the next few things I bought was from Forever21. I ended up having to buy birthday gifts so while I done that I tok advantage of their frees shipping and decided to really treat myself. I kept looking at this top for WEEKS. Eventually I said 'fuck it' and had to get it. It's so nice and detailed. I've seen a lot of the Black Diamond girls where these off the shoulder type of tops in brighter colors. I decided to try the trend out for myself. I love the sleeves and the lace. Along with the top I ended up buying a crescent moon necklace. For any of you who know, I've always had a thing for Sailor Moon and even before that I adore moon and star jewelry. It's such a hard rare thing to find. Apparently moons have been a trend because Forever21 had moon things!!! I snatched that necklace up so quick! I love how the chain is dainty and long. It's very much so on trend and I've been wearing it a lot!!

Now onto this the past weekend. 

This weekend was a plethora of things. As most of you know, I've stopped going to events due to personal reasons and just a lot of financial and emotional struggle. As personal as that sounds, I can't stray away from the truth of it. Actually going out this weekend and doing things was the first time I had done that in a good couple of months. I have literally been a hermit only going to school and home with a couple of friend visitations in between. I have literally felt grounded. 

The first trip really isn't a trip but I have made a friend at school! I would have never thought that to be possible due to my interest and general dislike for people my age usually. Not to say that all twenty-somethings are awful. I know a good portion that are lovely. But they are hard to find and very few in between because yeah...I'm really reserved and don't do a lot of the things people my age do. My idea of a good time is going out for tea, shopping, run way shows, fashion...fooding...exploring new areas...deep conversations....movies. Those things. So when I made a friend I was very thrilled. :) We are in Psychology class together and decided for our group project (oh god don't get me started on that and how much I *hate* group projects) to meet up on Friday to plan and discuss it. We went to Starbucks, got Tiramisu frappes (you guys those are done for!! I'm so glad I got one before they were no more! I checked on Tuesday to see if they had it and they said nope!) and worked on the project as much as we could before calling it a day. Without the other group members input or information we couldn't do much but tried to do an outline. So eventually said friend and I decided go to Ross to kill for some time before we went to go have lunch. 

The JFashion related find was ANNA SUI. Anna Sui is all over the magazines over in Japan. Gothic Lolita Bible and Kera specifically. :) All the girls dig it over there for Anna Sui's amazingly cute packaging. Her cosmetic line is a hit just as much as the fragrance is. I ended up finding the summer edition of 'Rock Me' for TEN DOLLARS. I shit you not it was a huge size Anna Sui perfume and it was TEN FUCKING DOLLARS. I flipped my shit and grabbed at that so fast. My friend got the mini set of a couple of Anna Sui's different perfumes. They all looked like potion bottled. Mine clearly looks like a guitar and I adore the purple to blue gradient on the bottle. It smells amazing. My friend said it smells androgynous but that's okay because androgyny is pretty sexy ;D 

We ended up eating Hawaiian BBQ and called it a day. It's pretty funny because my friend got to see my double life. At school I don't dress as crazy with circle lenses and lashes. So I really gave her taste of how I really am outside of a school setting. My look was Popteen inspired. I'm wearing the Dollywink 11s with Dollywink 3s ontop because the 11s lacked some serious length! It's pretty natural looking and framed my eyes. It supposedly made my Princess Mimis look a lot more natural. These are 15.0 mm contacts in comparison to 14.5 and apparently they didn't look massively huge. Perhaps it's also because they're a natural color and my eyes are light anyway. It basically just enhances my eyes and doesn't really change the color. I DID test run the Diamantes that day because why the fucks not?

SUNDAY WAS A SURPRISE VISIT! Holy crap! I was so thrilled and happy. I wanted to cry. The last two times my friend Tammy has came up to NorCal from SoCal I have missed out seeing her. I'm always talking to her online and I really feel like I've connected to her as a friend. It's really difficult for me to make girl friends. Not sure why and because a good majority of my friends are guys and have been for most of my life, I've turned into looking like a lady but being crude in terms of how I talk. It depends on my company. But Tammy is just as crazy and I love that about her. With us there are no boundaries...well maybe there is but you get my point! We have beauty, tea, and Sailor Moon in common. 

I couldn't believe she was up here this weekend because it was totally out of the blue. She even braved the drive up to come and get me. Because the last couple times she has been here she hasn't gotten to go to San Francisco, I decided this past weekend would be the perfect time to go! Past weekend was the first weekend of Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan Town and that is always such a huge experience. The stage performances were way too crowded to go into and get seating but I at least wanted her to at least enjoy the feel of Japan Town. Usually because it's pretty empty in comparison to a festival weekend. 

So with that said, we braved San Francisco traffic and SF together. <3 The GPS helped but eventually we made some wrong turns and some how I knew how to fix them. I love San Francisco so much because it's my home away from home and I was really eager to show her why it's so great and why I felt so at home here. 

Look wise I really wanted to go all out since this was my first event in a long time. I ended up going for a summery casual gyaru look. I didn't have the patience to curl my hair so I ended up wearing ti straight. The top if from Forever 21 and my shoes and shorts are offbrand. I wore Ageha 115s and Diamond Lash bottom lashes. My eye shadow is a combination of the Brigette eye creams in pink and white, the Urban Decay Ammo palette for a natural nude and a copper countour, the Urban Decay Naked 3 for pink hues, a brown crease line for a deeper 3D look, and creamy brow bone high lights. Eyeliners I used was Dollywink pen eye liner, the Etude House Pearl Tear Drop Eyeliner, Dollywink Point Lame Eyeshadow Pen for teary white inner corner high lights, and Urban Decay gold glitter liner for extra shimmer. Blushes are yet again a combination of Nars Angelika and Super Orgasm and a dark rose red Revlon blush for a countour. Nars Super Orgasm for face high lights and an over all summery glow. My circle lenses are the GEO Princess Mimi's in Sesame Grey. 

I has also the night before made my FIRST NAIL SET IN TWO YEARS. I was really thrilled because by far it was the best nail set I have ever done but for some reason the day off the nails felt like gel or flimsy so my best judgement was not to wear them but look how pretty they are!!! This is my first set that I ever have done for myself!! 

First stop was Ichibankan just to troll around. We ended up getting yummy cakes to eat. I THOUGHT Benkyodo was going to be open but fuck that. They weren't. So we ended up eating the cakes and buying little Takoyaki skewers from a stall to enjoy and hold us over until we could get lunch since none of the actual food places were open for business. We went around Shibuya SF, the Faceshop (I have a Faceshop product to try omfg thank you buy one get one free. Tammy and I got matched face mask thingies) and Kinokuniya. I was kind of sad over how lacking Kinokuniya was in fashion magazines and Sailor Moon items. I was REALLY hoping that they were going to have a lot but maybe things had been picked over on Saturday in terms of magazines. 

After looking around we went to Mifune Don and thankfully got the last seating there for awhile. I've never sat outside to eat  there and it was actually quite nice. The lighting is good for selcas, I ran into friends like my cosplayer friend, Len who is in the picture here with her equally as adorable friends, and I got to people watch as I ate. It was really nice. I ended up getting Okonomiyaki....for the first time in a year. I've had it from Oto's admittedly since but i hadn't had *thick* pimped out with octopus and everything Okonomiyaki in the longest time. Not since last Cherry Blossom Festival so I was super excited to have it. Tammy ended up getting soba! We ended up taking a lot of pictures and I ended up getting a lot really cute animal stickers put on me by Tammy. ahaha...

We ended up afterward, going to the New People building where I was going to show Tammy what real lolita fashion is. It's one thing to window shop online via official websites or Lacemarket but it's a totally different experience going into a store like Baby the Stars Shine Bright, which is cutely decked out in pink and gold with friendly shop girls..and all the dresses, blouses, and accessories you could ever want. Tammy was going to actually get to feel and see the quality of the dresses that I kept raving about.

I'M INCREDIBLY ENVIOUS... Tammy as such a cute rounded baby face. She naturally looks young so Baby the Stars Shine Bright suited her so well. I'm a little older looking in the face and even so I've always liked their darker gothier sister brand Alice and the Pirates. Tammy tried on her first dress which was the 'Salon de thé Minette Macaron Jumperskirt'  in the blue color way. It really suited her well because the print had tea pots and cups on there along with sweets. Tammy is very fond of tea and the color blue is really nice on her so the dress suited her well. There are a lot of rules that go with lolita fashion like not just wearing a JSK but a blouse underneath the JSK or a cardigan and bolero over the dress. A petticoat is a necessity for the full shape of the dress, the head bow to accessorize the top, socks, and the right shoes. Lolita is a crazy investment but with the right set of shopping skills, budgeting, and coordinating I think anyone can catch on. Tammy for sure got a glimpse of what it was like to be an elegant lolita. I'd love to see her in a full coordinate that suits her style one day. 

After browsing around the New People building, we decided to get dessert after our lunch. This was my chance to take her to Tan Tan Tea Salon. If I had known she was coming up I would have reserved Crown and Crumpet the day beforehand because it was going to be busy that weekend and usually unless it's a slow day you can't get a table without a reservation scheduled before hand. Tan Tan is more Japanese than Crown and Crumpet which is clearly European. Both are great and have their own flair and style that makes each place unique. 

Tan Tan is pretty hidden and very relaxed. I love this place a lot. The have the sweetest and cutest owner who puts so much effort into making the teas and desserts. Recently I think she gained a helper to help her out. I've never seen him work there before out of all the times I went. Yay for help right? She's always working so hard and as fast as she can to get all the items out. Perhaps he was just there to help her during the weekend's festivities. Regardless it was an experience for Tammy who told me that trying to get to tea salons in SoCal was difficult and quite a drive. This place has a good array of European and teas and delicious Japanese teas and desserts. 

I ended up ordering a Matcha Green Tea Float (thank you for always giving me sugar. I love the texture of matcha but I'm too much of a wuss to do full on matcha by itself. I love love love when the lady gives me sugar water LOLOLOL I'm so lame) and Anmitsu which is a combination of jellies, fruit, and red bean. All are delicious and glorious. Tammy seemed to enjoy the place a lot too. Next time we'll need to try both places in one go so I can see what her preference is. I love both tea places in Japan Town equally. 

After tea we went down to the Kabuki Hotel's lobby because my iPhone 4 is shit and the battery lasts about an hour before crapping out. I can not WAIT to get an upgrade. Regardless my ass had to go hunt for an outlet because my phone's camera is always in use to document my adventures as much as I enjoy them. If I didn't document we wouldn't have the blogs now would we? 

I ended up making over Tammy! Blush and eyeliner make such subtle but nice differences. She looked a lot more colorful and sported Chanel lipstick as well. Making our way to the car  Tammy came bearing gifts. She's a huge supporter of Lupicia teas because she used to be an employee there. I do have to say that their teas are absolutely amazing. She ended up giving me Strawberry and Rose Royal (which I like to fondly call alcohol tea because it seriously smells like alcohol LOL), There was also a really pretty flower tea as well. Yet again, thank you so much Tammy. You're truly having me appreciate tea to the fullest extent. I've never been such a tea enthusiast until this! Well not making your own. I go to other places for their own custom blends with tea leaves and stuff but I didn't know you could get really good quality tea from home and it be attainable. 



Anyway, eventually Vale, Jett, and Miguel joined us! Yay gang's all here. We explored Japan Town and ran into Charmie and her  really badass friend. Beforehand we had ran into Charmie before but this time we made it a deal to sit down and spend time with each other. <3 <3 We all shared crepes and acted extremely derpy. It was really really fun. I enjoyed it a lot. I always love seeing my friends together. I hadn't had a crepe from Bellygood since 2013 so it was a bit crazy. Wahh thank you so much Miguel for treating.... ;_; 

Eventually we parted ways and took PuriKura. Another tradition I left behind since last year. I really wanted her to experience PikaPika plus I love doing PuriKura. PuriKura is a very normal thing to do in Japan. It's not really even a 'gyaru' thing but I've always somehow associated it with gyaru. Maybe it's the models who used to be all over the machines. Maybe it's just the fact that every time I see old school PuriKura it's these girls with their massive collections in albums. Regardless, I've loved PuriKura since my high school days and whenever there's been a good event or good memory I've always tried to make an effort to take some with friends. I know the guys aren't too fond because it's kind of girly but honestly I like it a lot. I always write what day it's on and who I was it. The machine we used was the Baby3 which is one of PikaPika's new machines. The lighting makes you flawless and I love the frame layout. Tammy got to get them blown up for herself. She said there were some in SoCal but they all quickly die. I keep wondering why that is. Perhaps it's because PikaPika has been the longest PuriKura machine here in SoCal and while I've seen some pop up in San Jose/Milpitas it does exactly that. It doesn't last and close down. I think PikaPika has their marketing down and it helps that Japan Town is tourist central. When there's events it's also super crowded. If you want to do PuriKura JTown in San Francisco is the place to be. I'm kind of hopefully waiting for them to get the really fucking crazy ones in Japan that do amazing outfit pictures and make you skinnier/adds make up to your face if you choose. 

After raiding PikaPika we went downtown to show Tammy the glorious Westfield Mall. I'm not too fond of that mall honestly because the sales people on the carts HOUND you. I hate it so much. I usually take the escalators up and walk at a fast pace. I am not interested in your lotions or make up lady.... However, Tammy's old boss worked at the Lupicia store in San Francisco so she wanted to pay her a visit. Lupicia in San Francisco is so nice. The staff is hardworking and friendly. If I hadn't spent tons of money that weekend and need to make my cash stretch I would have easily busted bank on yet again, more tea. At least I know where this place is to get more. It was nice seeing Tammy so happy with what probably would be considered at old friend. 

We looked in the other stores like Sephora and a couple other clothes places. We didn't want to bore the guys too much. I haven't been in this mall in ages. Since November of last year. It's so expanse and I actually REALLY LIKE taking pictures here. I remember back in my earlier days of cosplaying raiding this mall fittingly as Sheryl Nome and Luka Megurine just because they have a couple of really nice places to take pictures at. We never had a fancy camera here to know if we'd get told off but regardless this place holds a lot of memories. 

The guys were amused by these TV things that made colors moved. They tried to do Avatar shit or whatever. LOL I dunno..

I would have liked to show Tammy the real Union Square and stuff but holy fuck it was cold and Jett was pressed for time. So went went back to Japan Town instead to have Korean food at a tofu house. The food was okay at that place but the service yo... =_= smh... This is why I stick to the places I know kind of. The food was really good regardless but at the end of the meal they lost business with me for sure. I'll stick to my place on Filmore that's open until 3/4 am. Afterward we separated our own ways. I was really sad to see Tammy go. It was fun and I hope her and everyone else got full and had tons of fun even if it was for part of the day for some of the people who went. I ended up doing a favor for a friend who forgot something at a karaoke bar in Japan Town (that place had really cool steps LOL) and had already went out of the city and then we trekked back to drop me off. It's always a long ride back. I feel bad for my friends because I'm so far and inconveniently located in the middle of nowhere. We always have deep convos on the way back or just whatever. Regardless of who I'm with the ride is always a part of the journey. 

It was fun. It was the most fun I had in a long time and was the most at home and comfortable I had felt in the longest time despite feeling like we were missing pieces to what once was a very connected puzzle. 

Tuesday I had met up with a friend for lunch... It felt like old times and I just realized how much I had missed them direly. I can't go into too much detail on my feelings or the details of that day because I rather keep that day all to myself..ahah

BUT we did have really yummy Japanese appetizers, went for tea at T4 which was a new experience, and went around an old hang out spot to walk around.... Recently they had came back from Japan and I wasn't expecting them to come back with gifts due to a couple of reasons and things but they did and I was so shocked.  Not over it being gifts but how well they pay attention to my interests or favorite things. Okonomiyaki to last me for two lunches from my favorite grocery store a couple cities over, and Sailor Moon gashapon charms from their trip to Japan. I'm wearing one of the charms as a necklace right now. One is the little elegant silhouette charms that look like necklaces. Knowingly enough they got me Usagi which is my favorite of the original five Sailor Senshi. The other charms were a full set of amulets for Usagi and Chibiusa from the R and S seasons of Sailor Moon. They're so cute and I can't believe they got me a whole set. ONE CHARM was sweet enough but they got me a full thing. They're so cute and I can't help but kind of just fondly look at them because they're so special to me mainly because I cherish gifts from people a lot especially this person, and they're Sailor Moon which is by far my favorite fandom and has never phased out of my life since I was seven years old. 

I plan on displaying them when I'm not wearing them on bags or jewelry. <3 

ANYWAY this has been one massively long blog post and I hope you guys didn't mind me covering things all in one go. It's been a really crazy nice couple of days. Perhaps it's a bit personal to say so good that I'm bracing myself for something horrible to happen because I feel like there's always a catch. I dunno! We shall see yeah?

Gyaru-esque Music that Isn't Eurobeat

In a lot of videos now a day I see a lot of people when they do anything associated with gyaru use Eurobeat for their videos. Eurobeat was and possibly still somewhat is a huge thing when it comes to ParaPara which a lot of gyaru participated in doing. But is gyaru just associated with Eurobeat? Definitely not! There a tons of other music I've see advertised in gyaru magazines and its pretty generalized. I've seen everything from the Gazette to Kana Nishino be a thing in Popteen or Egg even. Mind you a lot of this music might be a little dated considering I'm mentioning Egg and Popteen. I've heard a lot of the music I'm about to share be playing in the backgrounds as they do their photoshoots. Some of these singers have been a huge inspiration to gyaru or have delved in the style a little bit. If not, they're played quite a bit in the photoshoot videos I've seen or like I've said, have been featured in the magazines.





If I didn't throw Namie Amuro at the first in the list I would be crazy. Namie is such a huge thing maybe not as a gyaru herself but she's participated in a couple of Tokyo Girls Collection shows (where a lot of gyaru brands *have* been featured such as Liz Lisa, Cecil McBee, ect). She's classic and classy to boot. A huge fashion icon that dominates a good portion of magazines as well. Don't let her time around and age fool you. She's still relevant.




Koda Kumi is another Avex babe that by no doubt has some type of gyaru influence. There's a lot of people who claim such and such artist is the Britney Spears of Japan, but honestly for me it's always been Koda Kumi. She's sexy to the point of raunchy with her dance moves and sexual innuendo at every corner. Blinged out nails, hostess style dresses, or in the case of the music video I'm about to share furry leg warmers, streaked bleached hair, and excessive accessories are a thing with this lady and with no doubt I'm sure a couple of gals have fawned over this artists sexy style if other artists aren't their cup of tea.



 Kana Nishino has been huge when it comes to trending J-Pop. She's been around for a little while but honestly, I saw this lovely girl and it definitely was one of the things that made me fall in love with gyaru. She's been on various Popteen cover and has shared a shoot with Kumicky even! While Kana's style has softened up like most of the gyaru-esque styles have I hear her music everywhere. Even in Cocolulu photoshoot videos! There is no escaping her, her music it just out right good regardless if you're into gyaru or not.



If you're into the clubbing vibe, m-flo is for you. Taku Takahashi and Verbal are duo of this lng running group and haven't completely faded out yet. During their 'loves' era he collaborated with tons of different artists such as Koda Kumi, Namie Amuro, Emi Hinouchi, Lisa, Crystal Kay, Chemistry, BoA, ect.




Speaking of Emi Hinouchi, she would for sure be on my list. She has a lot fun R&B vibes as much as a girly strong voice. Most of her songs are either beautiful ballads or really fun summer time-esque songs that never get old during warmer weather. It's a shame she's not as known as she deserves to be because her voice is something else!





Who would I be not to add Ayumi Hamasaki to list? To the ParaPara for her concerts, her circle lenses, bleached hair, and lashes even if she's not exactly gyaru you can't deny just a tiny bit of influence. Ayumi Hamasaki has been dubbed as the Queen of J-Pop though honestly I kind of beg to differ. I feel like Namie Amuro stole her crown but never the less Ayumi is still great. She upped her game recently within a year and with the remixes out, I can't deny that her newest songs are as fun as her old school ones for a decade back!




Sakurai Rina who is a popular Ageha model had her go at singing as well. Not only is the PV super pretty but she actually doesn't sound too bad!!



Going along with the model theme we have going on in this blog entry, Tsubasa Masuwaka for a second or so was singing as well under the title 'Milky Bunny'. Her music is the Candy Doll and Dolly Wink CM themes for her cosmetic line. I do think 'Bunny Days' is actually the best song she has out and the PV is so cute.




Fellow Popteen model Hikari Shiina (Pikarin as she's dubbed in the magazine) has also been signed onto Avex. Her music has an idol feel for sure. This is actually the only PV that I would even consider she still being considered 'gyaru' with. I always have loved Pikarin because she was and kind of still is somewhat a well rounded model. She has within the last year or two toned down a ton but this PV has to be by far my favorite look on her!!!




Black Diamond has also taken a try at music lately as a Gyaru Circle Group. As you can tell, they've also went with a bit of a Hip Hop style but they also go into the EuroBeat genre with some of their other songs. I actually saw them live back at San Francisco's J-Pop Summit and they were really fun to watch!




Not sure who exactly this is but obviously the music and the PV caught my eye. There's a lot of really pretty gyaru models in this. This IS however a Christmas song as I figured out.


Anyway, there's a couple of finds! I'm pretty sure I've left out a lot of different ones. Obviously this list is incredibly female dominated. Obviously gyaru listen to a ton of different music too. Anything that suits their personal tastes but I kind of see these PVs or artists as things that really stand out as gyaru or things I hear a lot in the background of photoshoots and all. Feel free to share more with me! I love finding new music to listen to!