On Downsizing My Bag

Downsizing my bag is something I've been wanting to do for a while. As silly as it sounds, I'm incredibly anxious when I realize I might not be carrying something that I might need (even if in the end, it turned out I don't). It's the exact reason why I demand my bag to be huge and heavy duty. However, I realized carrying that much items with me isn't doing good for my health. I've ended up with sore shoulders too many times to count now, and for that reason, I made downsizing my bag to be my 2017 goal.

It seems like my plan has to be start earlier because I was gifted this bag early October. I've been eyeing this bag; Ted Baker Otillia since it landed on local Ted Baker last September. The bag fits all the bills that I need from a bag; boxy, structured, comes with detachable strap, cross-body. If I had not plan to downsize my bag, I might not bother with this for its size, but seeing as my goal is to carry less, it is the perfect size.

The bag has the cutest details ever, from its rose gold hardware (bows, clasp, and zip), to the inner leopard and rabbit prints. It's made of bovine leather which is smooth on the flap but textured on the body. At first, the size intimidates me, but seeing as this is something that I need to do (for the sake of my weeping shoulder), and the bag is the most beautiful bag I've ever seen, I'm fully intending on making this 'downsizing my bag' works. Wish me luck!

Do you bring big or small bag? What do you think of downsizing your bag?

acceptance over understanding
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Current Rose & Gold Favorite

I think it's safe to say that if you're an active blogger, you'd fall in all the rose-gold craze that not only affect your choice of makeup brushes, but also homeware, and stationary. Ideally, I'd love to have this classy color decorating my room, but it's so difficult to spot this particular color anywhere around (if there's any, they're usually pricey). So, I settled with smaller things like accessories as they're less expensive and much easier to spot.

Zoeva Rose Golden Luxury Set; I picked this cult-favorite brush-set for my birthday last year. This was not only the only brush set I own, but also my very first brush set, so you can say I have a (humongous) emotional attachment to it. I'm sure everyone have raved enough about this brush already so I will keep it as simple as; gorgeous looking, gorgeously soft, gorgeously durable, gorgeously apply makeup to my face. I will be picking up another set for my birthday, stay tuned!

Forever21 Etched Leaf Headband; I've always wanted this kind of Olympian Goddess-esque headband, with crown leaves and all. They're a nice statement piece to throw in your outfit, whether making dress more 'dressed-up', or adding touch of luxury to your casual outfit. More detailed look of this headband can be seen in photo below.

Forever21 Contrast Browline Sunglasses; On weekends, I often find myself driving during the time when sun is very high on the sky, and the lack of sunglasses can be bothering, especially when the sun decided to be unforgiving. I've been wanting rose-gold sunglasses since I saw on at Stradivarius, but their sizing is iffy, and when I spotted this one at Forever21 - with only fraction of the price, too! - I immediately picked them up.

Forever21 Hair Clip Set, H&M Hair Clip Set, & Claire's Bobby Pins Set; hairclips and pins are so handy for photo props. I will even admit that 70% of my motive was to use them to decorate my picture instead of my hair. Regardless, I carry two of each in my bag and they proof to be useful. With my hair getting longer, I'm often distracted by some naughty strands that decided to fall over my face. I will just whip either one of these, then tuck the bad hair back behind my ears.

Gold Safety Pins from Ace Hardware; this is a lucky pick! I was accompanying my mom to hardware store when I spotted this, so, of course I had to drop this inside our basket, discreetly ;) They come in 4 different sizes, making them more practical and handy.

What's your favorite rose and golden items?

acceptance over understanding
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Some Saturday Hauling

Hullo, happy Saturday! Since the year end sale is still going on, I did some shopping today with my sister. In the past two years, I haven't been buying much clothes or shoes, especially last year where I dedicated almost all my shopping budget for beauty related thing rather than clothing. Thus, my wardrobe was in dire need of some reorganizing and there's no better time to shop than sale season, right?

Clothes that I wore in 2015 were pretty much the same with what I wore in 2014 to the point my mom was telling me to buy new clothes at least once every month. Stradivarius has been my favorite as of late because they seem to always have whatever I want at the moment. Style wise, they fit my taste as well! I remember having serious crush at their fall collection last year and I had to conceal my excitement when I found all of them were on sale for 50% off! I ended up with three button-ups and one tank top. I almost purchase some knits until I realized half clothes I bought last year (3 out of 6) were all knits.

Clothes were not the only things I bought at Stradivarius. They released quiet a lot of fedoras last season and I only managed to snatch 1 last year. I grabbed this red-brown one after seeing they also shaved the price off about 40%. The rings were thrown on impulse after seeing the star and moon details on it (I'm weak to them).

Still, my wardrobe was faring better compared to my shoes; I pretty much only wore three pair of shoes in the last 2 years. What can I say? I'm really picky when it comes to shoes, with my feet size (7-7 1/2) buying shoes is not the easiest thing to do hence my tendency to stick with same shoes for a long time. I've been wearing a pair of flat from Zara practically every single day to the point they're barely presentable (worn, dull, there was even a hole on the side).

Also, my cousin is holding his wedding next month and I'm in serious lack of party-proper shoes (the other shoes I have are boots). VNC wasn't having any particular sale but I remember having a little crush at Mary-jane shoes that Amez bought back in October. Long story short, I hit the store, ask for my size, tried it on, and somehow I ended up with another pair of flat because; CHAMPAGNE and they are so comfortable to wear! The Mary-jane comes with sequined heels, they can be too dressy/fancy for work but nothing that black shirt-skirt combo cannot tone down.

That's all I purchased today. There's actually one more item that I wanted but since it's still full-priced and seeing that I can actually get it with half the price with some little patience, I'm adding this bomber jacket to my wishlist for summer sale.

What was the latest thing you purchase? Have you add anything to your wishlist?

acceptance over understanding

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Liz Lisa Playful Pin-Up Girl 2nd Impression

Hello, everyone! I'm sorry for my absent! I'm in the middle of processing my Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro pictures for upcoming post but I got distracted when I saw Liz Lisa released their new Spring Tabloids. The tabloids featured Triendly Reina, Tamashiro Tina, and Kanno Yui (who in some pictures did not look Kanno Yui lol). I've mentioned in previous impression post, purple and pastel seem to be their central palette. I also mentioned they throw in some navy blue, and I thought there won't be as much blue, but guess what, we've been given a stream of navy and denims. Seducing me with solid blue, way to go Liz Lisa, way to go (imweakwithdeepbluecolorivetoldyou).

Like I said, denim. This page clearly show that denim will probably take big role in this season's collection. Take a look at the recent new arrival in their official page, it's practically two new kind of denim clothing going in the rack. This page also gives an idea that crop tops and high waisted bottoms, knee-length flare skirt will be everywhere this season. I personally like high waist skirt (even though I can't always work it). The coordinate Yui was wearing on the cover, and the third and last coordinate on the very bottom are my favorite. I love how the items just click to each other beautifully. On the other hand, the last coordinate on the middle row seems awkward to me.

I take it the bustier and the lace cropped top is two separated items? I'm really loving the bustier, I think it goes well regardless of what season depending on how you style them. It's one of those classic and timeless piece, denim just adds the effortless aspect to this piece.

Moving on to the newspaper, Tina is rocking that look we often saw on Liz Lisa's crews on their official ameblo. I think I've seen this coordinate multiple times and I cannot say I'm all plus for this, I think it depends on the person who wear it. On some it looks awkward but on some it looks good. It's purple, what do you expect? We'll be swarmed with purple this Spring.

I'm feeling 50:50 for this collection, just like in this spread. First, I'm soo feeling the first coordinate with all the blue; the blue stripped (Classic, classic) cardigan, the (what seemed to be) denim suspender skirt, the lace trimmed white tops, they just went together, perfectly. While the coordinate on the bottom just didn't click together for me. It's probably the cutting (or her posing) but it just doesn't do the trick on me.

I said it's probably about the cutting but looking at this one, seriously, I don't know because this one looks good, they fit seamlessly to each other. I swear it's not the color because this could be purple checks instead of denim and I will still be liking it. 

The Knee-length skirt coordinate is probably the most un-Liz Lisa-ish coordinate I've ever saw, they're more Emoda or Mitsumaru Ingni-esque than Liz Lisa, does not mean it's a bad coordinate. Like mentioned above, denim will be another 'main character' of this season. I'm loving the 'Denim Sweat' coordination so much (classic, classic, classic). The 'Flare Skirt' coordinate at the very end looks promising as well (what did I said above high waist skirt??), simple yet stunning. 'All in One' coordination is the odd one, I cannot grow myself to like it since I saw it in their web's new arrival section. It looks...weird.

First, let's talk about the bad hair styling because Goddess Tina looks less than stunning in the first two pictures. As for the outfits, I'm not feeling the second and the third because they look super awkward. Maybe it's the cutting, I don't know why but many of this season's collection is awkward. The first coordinate featured the probably most promoted and repeated item in their Spring's Promo; the check dress. It's probably the most simple dress in the whole collection, there's nothing new nor special in it but for some reason, it's one of those item that I grow fond of immediately. Maybe it's the simplicity of it. The bottom right featured LL Twinkle items, the only thing that caught my interest are the shoes. I'm still bitter about the fact that LL do not have shoes in my size and looking at these three shoes make me even bitter because the laces, the ribbons, what is there in them that is not to love?? If I could, I'll get my hand on the purple one.

The next pages will feature Kanno Yui, themed "Girls Love Dream". The dress she's wearing on the picture looks like a french-maid-ish dress only it's in one color. If they had more than one color scheme in all right places, it'll totally look like a maid dress. Regardless, I'm loving this dress, if only they do not come in puffy shoulder 

Remember when I said Kanno Yui didn't look like herself in some of photos? It begins from this page, just look at the very bottom right picture? I had to ensure myself multiple times that it is, indeed, Kanno Yui. While we're at it, let's talk about the dress. When I first saw it, it immediately remind of of clothes/uniform often worn in Gundam(?). I cannot explain why, it just remind me of them lol. I'm torn between liking this dress of not because it looks odd when you line it up with other Liz Lisa's dresses. Take the pink jumper skirt worn by Yui beside it. It's the standard Liz Lisa jumper skirt with (probably) rose prints on it and a layer of organza.

Let's just skip the very bottom picture which was obviously a victim of photoshop (how awkward could it be??? Look at her legs???) The two coordinate on the tops are absolutely fabulous! I personally like the navy coat better (what did you expect from me?). I almost purchased it but I decided to stop myself and purchased this tops instead. The dress looks absolutely lovely with the off-shoulder accent and all the laces adorning it. It comes in three colors; white, pink, navy. The white and pink one will probably give off a strong feminine and delicate feeling while the navy one will give more mature and sophisticated feeling.

With all these new products introduced in this tabloids and looking at all the new items they posted on their website, I must say I'm growing quiet fond of this season's collection even more than before. I'm definitely liking their recently released items more than the early spring collection. What about you? Did these two new tabloids managed to change your opinion toward this collection?

Stay tune for Shibuya Tour Post (?) next! I'm planning to publish them somewhere around Wednesday-Thursday next week, just pray that I won't have any other distraction!

First Snow

It finally snowed in Tokyo!  It started as rain but around three pm it turned into heavy snow. I really wanted to enjoy it because it's the very first snow I've ever experienced but alas, my condition was horrible that I could barely walk so I could only enjoy watching the endlessly falling snow while lying helplessly on my bed . I had given up seeing snow in Japan because it didn't fall until yesterday and many said it won't be snowing this year so I was very happy that I could finally see it with my own eyes.

Before I sleep, I swore to myself that first thing I will do the next morning is to take pictures with snow.

The snow on the ground in front of my veranda was pretty much gone, I was scared that there'll be not much snow left but the thankfully, some was still left in the place where I took photo last time. I somehow managed to survive in this outfit for about 20 minutes despite the chilly weather but I gave up after taking the very first picture on top because my hands were freezing . As you can see, not many snow was left and around 10 am, they're melting away. I took time experimenting with sun back-light and out of four pictures I took, the last one (the picture below) happened to be my favorite despite how it's the most unfocused of the four, I just love how the light is gently hitting me from behind .

sweater with lace details, jumper skirt; Liz Lisa, stockings; tutuanna, boots; unbranded

Playing Alice

cropped blouse, jumper skirt; Liz Lisa, stockings; Tutuanna, flats; unbranded

I should probably put another outfit from fukubukuro but they're all in the washing machine and I didn't have time in weekdays to take proper outfit pictures because it's finals week here! Japan's final season is very very late, I know, but it's how it is. The blouse is part of Liz Lisa Spring Collection Playful Pinup Girl. I didn't intend to buy this even though I have to admit, this little creature here managed to capture my heart. But when I received a 1050 JPY off coupon for Vent Online store, I purchased this one and using all points I had (about 3000) I only had to pay for 2601 JPY instead of the original price in 5775 JPY. Considering this would be my last purchase from VENT, I'm glad that I used all privileges I had . When I received the blouse, I freaked out a bit because it was shorter than I expected. But then I saw this lovely jumper skirt, sitting pretty on my bed, I know they had to go together. I'm really loving how these two pieces turned out when worn together .

Today is the first day of February which means my stay in Japan will end in less than two weeks, about 12 days remaining. I won't talk about it right now because I will probably make a separate post about it. I'm also planning to make a series of post covering places that I like to visit in Tokyo. I'm planning to cover the areas starting next week between my finals, I know it's not a good thing (hanging out in finals week) but I had prepared myself enough and I had did all my finals report so I had less burden on me.

Liz Lisa Playful Pin-Up Girl 1st Impression

Liz Lisa just recently put up their catalogue and tabloid for their 2014 Spring Collection, themed Playful Pin-Up Girl". They go with their usual retro-girlish concept, this time using pastel color as their center piece and spicing them up with laces, frills, ribbons, organza, and see-through fabric. Time-wise, they're translating 50's style to their collections. Or that's what their description said. 

what I wrote above is a translation of this, not properly arranged but those are what these passage said.

They've released the first promo pic (the very first picture) and constant teaser pictures on their official blog. True to what they said, pastel is their center piece but unlike their previous winter collection which was centered around pastel as well, the color scheme is more into blue-ish color scheme than pink-creme which we saw on their Winter Collection. Purple and blue with some pink.

Will it ever come the day when I can take beautiful pictures like this? 

Honestly, even though I'm not loving this collection as much as their Autumn's Royal Wonderland Collection, I love these more than their winter collection. Despite being centered around pastel color, which was main reason why I'm not really feeling their winter collection, they use different color palette which didn't seem to make a big difference but it actually worked for me and for my eyes...well, for my eyes, I think my eyes were bewitched by these beautiful pictorial with strong dreamy feels .

Good thing is that they throw in some bold color instead of swarming the whole collection with pastel. As seen above, they throw in some solid blue and from teasers they show us in their blog, they use a new hue of blue. It's not royal sapphire blue like in Royal Wonderland's collection, I cannot really tell the proper and exact name of the blue they used but it's a flattering deep shade of blue. I saw the actual product when I went to Shibuya 109 last week and I have to say it's immediately in my wish-list, along with a beautiful cardigan which is in the exact same shade.

My wild guess is purple will be their star color of this season. White, a staple color for Liz Lisa's collection works as a balance. The catalogue below shows how three purple items are styled together with white to maintain the balance and it does a pretty good job in doing so, not to mention it brings the purple to live. Daisy also seems to be their star flower, along with tulips.

Honestly, the beige color is totally random and personally, I think it doesn't go really well with this color palette. It's just my personal opinion tho. I wonder why they didn't include some pieces they shown on their snap and new arrival sections of website. These catalogues just highlights the blue-purple palette while they actually have another pieces with different colors like a touch of yellow and green.

They also have Spring Fair going on and these are items you'll get if you bought above the price mentioned. So far, I'm liking this and I actually already have two pieces that I'll get my hand on around February before I go back to my country. Yup! I've decided to leave Japan on 14th of February which probably will put an end to my LL purchase as well  Sad, I know. But I've decided that I'll postpone my purchase until I get another chance to set my foot on this country. It won't stop me from making entry about Liz Lisa anyway . Okay, now I really have to wash my face and read my books so I can actually do and finish my assignments tomorrow!