Daily Make Up

Here's the make up that I use on a day to day basis. My style is a very natural mori-girl type look. These products are reliable: they create a quick but gorgeous day to day look. Not only that but these products work well with your natural look. They compliment you!

I can't wait to share with you the looks so:
Read more for the run through of items!

Joy: Cat cafes in the USA

The positivity post for this week is about cat cafes.

Here's a link to a short article on cat cafes slowly making their way to the USA.

Has the time come for cat cafes in the U.S.?

 

I sure hope that the US gets some cat cafes in the North Eastern area; they'd really have all my money. 

There's a bit of hope from tumblr user catcafedream who is looking to start a cat cafe in Boston. 

The concept of these cat cafes hosting adoptable cats seems like a great idea to me, certainly a nice living space for the kitties than the average shelter.

Fresh Plants and Flowers

I love spring time. I love the way the weather warms up and then takes the time for little spring showers to cool down. We should all take the time to slow down. Going on long walks helps me to breath in that fresh air that gives so much life to everything. Keeping live plants at my desk really warms up my study space, but I sometimes want flowers along with my leafy green. I want to bring into my room more of the spring that is around me.

I've been getting cut flowers to keep in my room. Read more to see the flowers that I've been getting and hear about my experience.

Staying positive: Lookin' Good

I've realized that a major part of me feeling good about myself is based on feeling that I look good. This spring and summer, my goal is work a routine of healthy self care and trying out a new more outgoing personal style.



Read more to hear about my rationale for this new commitment and the steps that I've broken this major goal down into.

Inspiring song

I've been a fan of k-pop since my early high school years. All my friends were fans of G-dragon and Shinee while we imitated the cool style of Wonder Girls and Girl's Generation. I was a big fan of 2NE1 and their badass style, but it was so exciting to see GSGN grow up in front of us. 

As a long time fan of Miss A, I am in love with this song. The message is so great, especially for women in college. Hearing from such successful and gorgeous ladies a message about pursuing your goals, caring for your parents, and saving money - I knew my love of Miss A was well placed. Not to mention I love the wavy locks that Wang Fei is rocking.

Cuter Electronics: THE END

So this is the end of the Cuter Electronics Series.

It was really fun to work on this for so long and share so many ideas.

What else would you like to see me write about?
What did you think of the series?
Did you purchase any of the listed pieces?

Let me know!
Comment and chit chat with me~

Cuter Electronics: Mouse pad

Check out the cuter electronics post on mouse pads.

Cuter Electronics: Touch Screen Compatible Gloves and Mittens

This is another winter themed electronics accessory, to go with the ear muff headphones.
Almost everyone has gloves and it seems like more and more people are getting touch screen compatible gloves. But a lot of those compatible gloves are either made out of ugly looking material or have the those awkward little touchscreen material the pointer and thumb fingertip. I hate how those look, not to mention that I don't always tap right on the functional material.

It doesn't have to be this way. Admire these fashionable gloves that are also smart phone compatible.

desk organization: drawers

Organizing the drawers is, I think, the hardest thing to do. My drawer organization shifts as the semester goes on, as my study habits change. As always, the most important thing is finding something that works for you and your habits.

Step One: Clean

Carefully clean the surfaces and all the drawers of your cabinet. At the start of the year, give your desk a good treat of bleach, including the drawers. Trust me it's worth it. No one knows where the last resident stored their half used tissues.

Personally I use Pledge Multi Surface ($11). I also try to clean off the surface of my desk once a week because germs. If you want to go all out get a nice wood polisher, if you have a nice wooden desk. But do make sure to get something with anti bacterial properties.

Step Two: Drawer Check

Make sure that all of your drawers are properly aligned. If problems with the drawers sliding persist, the drawer hinges are probably a bit rusty.

Your dorm manager may be able to hook you up with some grease or WD40 for your desk drawers if they are too creaky or jam a lot. If not, you can buy WD40 from most hardware shops.

If you are super concerned about germs, you can get anti bacterial removable desk liners from most Bed, Bath and Beyond and similar style of stores. You can get some on Amazon ($3; pictured above).

Step Three: Personalized Handles

 

If you want to go the extra mile to personalize your desk, you can get change out for new drawer handles. Anthropology ($8 - $15; pictured above) has a ton of different styles of handles as do many hardware stores. Make sure to keep the dorm ones; you'll have to put them back at the end of the school year.

Step Four: Plan, Concentrate, Shop

A desk is a place that you should be able to calmly concentrate, with all of your supplies in easy reach from your seat. Think about what things you use most often: pens, pencils, highlighters, post it notes, paper clips, binders, whatever office supplies you tend to use. Don't take for granted that the "typical" office supplies need to be in ready reach tho. For example, I don't use paper clips or post its very often but I use a lot of binder clips and sticky flags.

Get a desk organizer or silverware organizer for your drawers. I'd strongly suggest getting bamboo desk organizers because they're easier on the environment and your wallet. There are a ton of different styles and sizes for these desk organizers.


Tips to get the right size: 

• Be very careful measuring out the interior of your desk when ordering online. Leave a little bit of space if you can, as not all measurements are precise. These small spaces can be filled with thin paper products; don't worry about them.

• If you're going into the store, you can cut a bit of newspaper or poster to fit inside of your drawer. Place things you're considering on top of the paper to make sure they would perfectly fit you actual drawer.

Step Five: Preserve

Now that everything has a proper place, create the habit of putting things back where they belong.
Plan to clean your desk and drawers regularly. Don't let dust or grime build up; clean more often during the winter flu months.

I'd suggest getting cedar scent blocks for your drawers. They keep away moths. Plus, they smell good.

Cuter Electronics: Laptop Case

A key to treating a laptop well is having a safe way to carry it. Many backpacks and briefcases now have special sections for carrying laptops. But there are still the hold outs and it's never bad to have too much protection for such an expensive electronic.

Urban Outfitters ($29-$100)

They have a wide selection of different stylish laptop cases. There is a bit of variation in price, but they're all cute.

Amazon Case Logic ($18)

New purse

I finally got a new purse!

This is a big deal because I'm the sort that uses the same purse for everything on all of the days. I don't switch up my purses for different outfits. So it's a very big commitment for me to buy a new purse; it's basically a two year promise to that purse to complete loving.

I got this purse from Mod Cloth. ($55)

It's a lovely mint color of false leather. The lovely color didn't translate into these photos very well but it's a very bright color. Let's open it up!

Even the top is a compartment. I'm not too sure of what you would put in here as it could only really store paper. 

The purse has a handle and detachable shoulder strap, for whichever way of carrying is prefered.

 I love the beautiful gold detailing and hardware; it really adds a little classic elegance to an unusual color purse.

But the lining keeps it playful. I adore the bright colors and silk. The pattern has cute little owls.
You can also see that it has some cute pockets on the inside. One zippered, two loose as well as the outside pocket.

Here's a look of what's usually in my purse.

This is my old purse.

I love this purse. I relied upon it very heavily my freshman year at MIT. And it served me well. It's actually very funny, because a girl in my orientation group had the same purse in a different material. Mine is a worked leather; hers was a fuzzy green fabric. Commenting on our matching purses was the start of one of my closest friendships; turned out she was in the same freshman advising program.

The problem was that it falls off of my shoulder when I'm wearing a winter jacket.

Here's a secret: You wear a winter jacket a lot when you live in Boston.

So I wanted to get an over the shoulder bag that wouldn't fall off. I've seen the pastel trend for bags all over the lolita fashion community, but I didn't think that a pastel pink heart shaped bag would quite do it for my everyday needs. Something that was a lovely pastel and would go with a lot of my blue themed basics, that was my goal.

I was going through ModCloth and saw this purse. I simply had to have it, especially since there were less than 10 left. I made the purchase and am totally happy with it.

There are some similar styles from Mod Cloth to check out.


Upwardly Mobile Satchel in Mint ($175)

Amethyst is it Bag ($63)

Mint Me Tonight Bag ($65)

Cuter Electronics: Ear Muff Headphones

I wear my headphones all the time, when walking to and from campus. They serve as a good protector from unwanted sidewalk conversation, in safe neighborhoods. I sometimes even walk around Harvard Square and some parts of Boston with them unplugged, just so that I don't have to deal with unwanted chatter from strangers.

Check out my Etsy page!

But headphones also serve as protection from the elements! Like ear muffs, they keep your ears warm. These are a few things you can get to add a little bit more warmth to you headphones if you wear them as often as I do during the winter.

Ear muffs for headphones
$11

If you really want to get winter cute, turn your headphones into ear muffs. Order a set of crocheted covers for the outside of your headphones. The extra covering will keep the outside of your ears warm and toasty.

Ear muffs via ear bags
$9 - $26

Order a size of these to fit over your headphones for a super cute look.

Check out my Etsy page!

Cuter Electronics: Laptop skins

So many people have lovely laptop bags, but very few people take the time to get nice decals for their laptop. I love having a nice decal for my laptop; it makes my desk look cute even when I leave my laptop out on it. When I go to cafes or the library, it serves as a good conversation starter.

Society 6 Laptop Skins

This style is a sticker type so you have to stick it onto your laptop. Smooth and a little bit glossy, it captures the art printing and color quite well. 

It's pretty easy to apply with the vinyl, took me less than 10 minutes to do, but I did go with a bit of caution. Apparently they're removable, but I haven't tried to remove mine. 

The decal holds up pretty well. I've had small water spills on it; I also carry my laptop in my backpack. So far no scratches or stains since the summer. 

The shipping is pretty fast, as I remember. The skin comes in a thin package, but has a bit of bubble to it to keep it safe from folding. 

The laptop skin that I have is this one, Till the Last Petal falls.

$30

This part of a series of tatto or pin up style Disney princesses, including slave Princess Leia.

Yes, Leia is a Disney princess.

I love the detail on his art along with the relaxing color palette for this piece. The tattoo that Belle has of the Beast is a super cute touch. I'd recommend this to all of you!

Storm- Wind Rider

$30

By the same artist. I love the mohawk design of Storm. She's such a cool comic book character, but she looks even cooler here with her awesome punk vibe. This would make a great gift for any Marvel fans!

The Lights from Tangled

$30

A different artist. I love all of her prints. This artist has so many pieces to choose from, including a number of fan artworks for Sherlock, Avengers, and other Disney movies. I love her painterly style and the dynamic colors that she uses. I really feel like I can see the glimmering and flickering on the lights on this piece. Great for a large laptop size; I imagine that friends might get a little lost looking at this art while you work.

GelaSkins

Another site that sells laptop skins. Removable for your convenience and protective too! The color is quite intense with a slight gloss to the skin. I don't own any of these but find these designs to be quite lovely.

Alphonse Mucha Laptop skin

$30

Pink Roses on Green background

$30

I wonder if laptop decals are ever going to catch on outside of the intense laptop crowd. 

Which designs did you prefer?

College Dorm Part 2: Organize your clothes

Before we start, take a moment for a bit of rest.

Enjoy your clean and fresh smelling room. This is where you're going to be spending your year!
You've got a warm bed and you're about to have a good place to set up and organize your clothes.

Unpack your clothes.

If you have a closet, now is the time to put your clothes in your nice clean closet. You most likely need to buy hangers. We all have preferences for hangers. The best of which are those felt ones or those with grips to prevent sliding.

I use these hangers from Amazon along with some from Bed, Bath and Beyond. A set of 50 hangers is merely $30.

If you have a dresser, figure out what drawer will be for each thing. Be sure to clean all the drawers quite thoroughly first. Dividers can be purchased or made due with shoe boxes.

Scent and Prevent

It's very important to prevent moths and other pests from getting in your clothes.

Get airtight containers for your seasonal clothes. Not only will it prevent moths but it will even save you space. As you'll see below, I keep my tights in an airtight container. Not pictured are the boxes of off season clothes that I keep on top of my closets.
Once the clothes come back in season, wash them again before hanging them up. With bleach and hot water is preferable, but the main purpose is to get the scent of plastic out.

Maybe even spring for some scent pouches for your drawers or drawer liners. I'd suggest getting cedar blocks to keep moths away and have a good scent ($21). Lavender is another option for keeping out insects.

I also use shoe boxes to store my winter socks; any sort of small box will do you well for organization. For the best is: they are entirely free.

Over the door hangers

These are a great space saver, especially for scarves, belts and towels. Before buying make sure that the over the door hanger will fit over your door. This one that I have doesn't fit over my door so I adapted to the situation: I fit it over my closet door.

Amazon ($25, $11 from left to right)

An additional tip: If your door hanger is a bit too large and wobbles, use tape to secure it or slide small pieces of cardboard to secure it, making sure that the cardboard is not on the side of the door frame.

Another option are command hooks. These are removable and bear great weight.

Door mirror

I'd also suggest getting a full length mirror for some where in your room. It seems quite difficult to sort out good quality from bad online, not to mention the difficulty of shipping glass. Some people do also leave mirrors when graduating so you shouldn't pick one up before seeing your room.

The best bet is to pick up such a mirror in Bed, Bath and Beyond or whatever local stores offer similar products.

Decorate your closet

Make your closet a place that encourages you to get dressed. I've put up art and a few cut outs from magazines to give me a bit of inspiration for outfits.

Organizing clothes like a store, keeping like styles of clothes together and even coordinating favorite outfits, can improve and speed up the process of getting dressed.

Day Planner

After going to the comic book shop with a friend, we wandered around a bit. And being the person that I am, I couldn't resist a little stationary kitsch shop.

It had so many cute things to pick up and explore. I was thinking of getting myself a nice soap but then realized I have enough soap for a small eternity, all of it lavender scented too.

Isn't the planner just lovely? I love that the cover is of vintage Boston. It has a bit of elastic to hold the cover closed along with ribbon to keep the page.

The front page has personal information; the next spread is monthly views and holidays.
I got myself a planner for new year of 2013 so to fully dedicate it in the back are my new year's resolutions. It has a great pocket in the back. I use it to store the letters that I'm about to post.

Set up with with a view of the week on one page and a note sheet for lists, this little planner has been helping me get organized. I use stickers to spark up the pages for my routine events and even for reminders of small inspirations. I put in my plans for IAP. I also put in some surprise plans throughout the year, complete with stickers. I think it's very important to have little things sprinkled throughout the year to keep oneself from losing sight of the small joys.

My one warning would be that it doesn't have a full spread monthly view.  For each week, there is a mini month view. That's alright for me since I have a monthly wall calendar along with a cell phone app calendar.

Hope that this little book can keep me organized throughout the year! I do really hope it does; as you can see I'm trying to improve myself a bit in 2013.
How do you keep organized? I enjoyed reading the Dainty Squid's post about planning blog posts.

Cuter Electronics: Headphones

So this probably seems obvious at this point, but a pair of cute headphones are a must!
I see so many people with the Beats headphones. They've been a trend a few years in the making. The first time I saw a pair was in a 2NE1 music video and a few months later they popped up in my high school hallways on the coolest kids. On my campus, they're pretty common along with the Beats earbuds. The price has kept me away.

So here are a few cheaper alternatives that still look cool to wear and keep you bass pumping.

One
$41

These are the headphones that I have!

I love them in turquoise. They come in a great box; the packaging makes them feel so sleek. The also come with a nice carrying case, but I don't use it. Apparently it stains quite easily.
I'm not an audiophile, but they do cancel out sound quite well for the price range. The amazon reviews should be quite helpful if you want a more intense review of the sound quality. All I can really say for my expertise is that I've used them plenty on planes and have always been fall  asleep despite crying children.

These headphones are quite comfortable to wear and look cute on. Having tried on the Beats, I really prefer the padding on these Incipio bands to the Beats'. People quite often comment on the unique color. In the winter they even keep my ears warm. My one complaint is that if it is windy, there can be a howling noise since the headphones aren't super tight on my head; this is probably due to the fact that my head is tiny. Very comfortable wear, so comfy that I sometimes forget I'm wearing them.





Skullcandy Aviator headphones
$150

A friend of mine has headphones by skull candy, the wooden style. The sound quality is quite good, or so he claims. I haven't the ears to tell. I like this style more; I don't know if it's because it's blue or the fact that these have a very cool vintage style. The wood style that he has seems to be more of a steampunk type of feel to me.

The Mix Style

The Mix Style headphones were very popular last year.

Obviously, the best place to get these are from the physical locations run by Mix Style. The next best would be YesStyle, which based on review are either very very good imitation or the real deal. Apparently the leather is a bit wrinkly and the plastic strap is quite fragile from YesAsia so I wouldn't suggest ordering from them, but it is much cheaper.

No matter where you're ordering from, these are not headphones for the people that love audio quality. They're for fashion, but will serve alright audio quality.

The Real Deal:  They have stores in New York and Washington.


YesStyle looks to be the real deal
$70

Yes Asia also has these knock offs (based on the price)
$50


Shinee
$17

And if you're into Shinee here's the perfect pair for you. Same style as Mix Style but with the Shinee logo rather than a star. Also super cheap so don't expect the most amazing quality.

Panasonics
$31

These Panasonics have a cute retro look and good sound quality. Apparently audiophiles say that these are overpriced for the sound quality. The adjustment is set up quite like mine, so likely for fit many head sizes, but apparently give a rather tight feel. I like the look of these but would suggest these only for people that don't intend to be wearing their headphones for a long period of time. These might be good for walking to and from campus: With a tight fit, they'll keep your ears warm and deliver decent sound quality despite the wind for you to love while giving a cute retro look for others to appreciate.

Hope that you find something that will make your music loving days super fun and fashionable!