MARVEL

 

Target Cap, Spiked Headband (worn around cap) c/o Oasap, Avengers T-Shirt, Black Cutoffs c/o Love of Eos, Fishnet Stockings c/o Oasap, H&M Shoes

To be honest, I hardly ever buy graphic tees but that was before I knew they had such cool shirts for The Avengers for sale!! I got this from Hot Topic yesterday; not only do I get to express my love for The Avengers when I wear this shirt, but it also gives off a grungier feel, which will be interesting to play around with :) This spiked headband is from Oasap and I was having a bad hair day today so I decided to throw on my baseball cap and wear the headband around it! The combination worked out well though! I'm also wearing my new fishnet stockings from Oasap. I've never owned fishnets before but I have to say they are very comfortable; the texture pairs well with lots of other fabrics too. All in all, I'm very happy with the new headband in particular because as you can see, you can wear it around a hat, wear it around your head alone, as a necklace, or as a bracelet. 

I also redid the layout a second time, if you had seen the previous new layout before I changed it again. It's going to stay this way for a while though :) Tell me what you guys think! You'll also have noticed that I've started posting all my photos in a much larger size. Hopefully that makes for a more dynamic post from now on though! I'd also like to congratulate Allie for winning the Iconemesis giveaway! And if you have a second, it would be very kind of you to vote for me in ShopAkira's Blogger Photo Contest (you can vote once per day).

NEW LAYOUT + ROMWE GIVEAWAY [CLOSED]

Hi guys! Here is the new layout! I was getting really tired of the old one and wanted a change-- especially with the old banner. You may or may not have noticed but my style has started to become much darker with more gothic inspirations; the reason being that I've become very interested in mythology, folktales, and anything that is mystical or magical. I wanted a banner that was more quirky and bizarre; I also added new buttons that look like gravestones. With a new set of inspirations to draw upon, it only seemed fitting that I redo my blog to reflect that as well :) I also wanted to redo the layout so it would be better formatted for posting larger photographs since I usually just keep them medium-sized. There are still a few things here and there that I am editing but for now, I hope you guys like it!

I only have 8 more days of school left until I can officially say I survived my junior year though! I recently started classes at a new studio and I love it there! My first assignment was to draw a quick self-portrait, which you can see here. As I mentioned previously, I'm even more excited to get to start on my college art portfolio because I've been cooping up all this new inspiration and when summer rolls around, I'll finally have time to channel it onto the canvas or into some new designs! Among other things, I was also featured in the May 2012 issue of Just Another Fashion Magazine as well as the May 2012 issue of AZ Magazine :) And if you have a second, it would also be very kind of you to vote for me in ShopAkira's Blogger Photo Contest here.

This past week was rather hectic, so I didn't get a chance to take any outfit photos but I think this week will calm down a bit. This past week, I turned in my AP English research papers, and with that, I can wave goodbye to the last major, challenging obstacle of junior year. I still have 2 finals left: Trig/Pre Calc, and Spanish 3, as well as a few projects here and there, but nothing as crazy as AP testing madness! I can't believe it's almost over. Three months ago, I looked ahead and wondered how I would ever survive the packed months of March through May. In the beginning of May, I wanted to crawl into a hole and die. But now the worst is done with, and the school year is finally into it's last 10 days.

With all this being said, I have a new giveaway with Romwe for you guys again! They are always so generous with hosting giveaways for their bloggers which is great because it's a way to say thank you to my readers. So thank you to all old and new readers alike, for supporting my blog. Starting this blog has been the best and most rewarding experience of my sixteen years. I look forward more than anything to keep sharing with you all what will come in the future. A lot of you guys have already done so, but don't hesitate to send me an email if you ever want to just talk or want some advice! I love all of you and Happy Memorial Day Weekend! (The first holiday of my junior year where I can actually do nothing with no negative consequences)

This giveaway is for one of Romwe's backless shift dresses. You have probably seen it around Lookbook a lot ^^ You will also receive $50 freebies to spend, and a secret gift. Just follow the guidelines on the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway is open internationally and will end at 12:00 AM on June 6th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SEA URCHIN

Tinted Lennons: c/o Romwe

Spiky Sweater: c/o Oh My Frock

Leopard Print Skirt: H&M

Wedges: Colin Stuart

Today, I'm wearing this incredible, spiky sweater from Oh My Frock! I love wearing weird and unusual pieces like these because I've always believed that if you carry yourself with confidence, you turn heads in a good way. Plus getting dressed up is an instant mood booster in the morning when all you want to do is crawl back into bed! ;) I actually found that I enjoyed going to school a lot more this year when I had a good outfit planned, compared to last year, when I hadn't really developed a complex style yet. 

I'm still confused about how this sweater was manufactured actually... but the important thing is that although this sweater looks spiky, it's actually squishy. People kept poking me at school too; it was pretty funny! This sweater reminds me a lot about puffer fish or sea urchins. I'm starting to collect a lot of spiky pieces: my JC spikes, my gold spiked headband, this spiked sweater, and I am even expecting a silver spiked headband in the mail xD On another note, I'm also wearing new, tinted circle sunglasses from Romwe. These sunglasses have a very boho vibe to me. Tinted lenses are great for lighting up your face and enhancing a bold lip; I imagine a deep, burgundy red would look really luxurious with these! I've also discovered how handy sunglasses can be when you are faced with bad lighting for photos or you just look kind of tired in general! Now you don't need to worry about any photos with perfect poses but not so perfect facial expressions! ^^

PS: Don't forget to enter my Romwe giveaway for sunglasses and $60 freebies, and my Iconemesis giveaway for an iPhone 3, 4, or 4S case! 

PPS: Today is my sister's 14th birthday!! I actually stopped using my wireless remote and tripod to take my outfit photos months ago because my sister has been so kind as to take them for me after school instead. I just want to say if it wasn't for her, it would be A LOT more difficult for for me to keep up with this blog so thank you so much Michelle! My sister has a Lookbook too; if you'd like to check it out go here! As always, thank you guys so much for reading! <3 I just finished AP testing so I'm very excited to get to re-focus on my blog after I turn in my research papers!

BAKER STREET // (+ Iconemesis Giveaway [CLOSED])

Shearling Jacket: c/o Romwe

Studded Collar: DIY

Lace Tank: Foreign Exchange

Lace Skirt: Vintage, $16

New phone case (See below) c/o Iconemesis

Today, I finally got to wear my shearling jacket from Romwe because it arrived this weekend! :D I like having this jacket in my wardrobe because it'll be really easy to throw on when I'm running out the door in the morning; plus it will still keep me warm without needing to wear a sweater underneath. The shearling lining inside is a great insulator; it's so soft, it feels like you're being hugged by a fuzzy blanket :) My favorite part about this jacket is how structured it is. If you look at the back, you can see how many different seam lines there are, and the shoulders are even cut to have a slight "pop" effect. Overall, the jacket is very flattering in the back because the hem rises to the waist too. I'm kind of glad it suddenly went from scorching hot to cloudy and cold in the morning where I live now ;)

To style this jacket, I went for a softer and lighter look to emphasize the hardness of the jacket. I decided to pair a vintage, lace skirt I got from Wasteland in LA with this lace tank top. To complete this look, I wore my studded collar, which really transformed the entire outfit. My friend told me I looked like Alexa Chung today! Probably because of the whole leather jacket and collar combination! Anyways, if you haven't already entered my Romwe Giveaway, you can do so by clicking the highlighted text.

I'm also launching a second giveaway with Iconemesis, who kindly sent me this new cat patterned iPhone case!! My phone case broke AGAIN so I was very grateful for the new one! Which was also ten times cuter than my other one xD This case is very hard and durable, which is a relief because I drop my phone a lot! What's really great about Iconemesis is that all the artwork on their cases comes from artists in the UK, so if you buy a case, you'll also be supporting an artist's career as well. 

If you would like to win an iPhone 3, 4, or 4S case of your choice from Iconemesis, just follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below! This giveaway is open internationally and the winner will be contacted after the giveaway ends in 2 weeks. (May 28, 2012)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WITCHCRAFT // (+ Romwe Giveaway [CLOSED])

Beanie: North Face

Choker: Handmade

Galaxy Top: c/o YourEyesLie

Tights: Claire's

Shoes: H&M

I survived the AP US History exam this morning!! For the past two weeks, studying for that test had taken over my life. When it got down to the last week, I had to go into overdrive with the studying, going to sleep at around 2 AM multiple nights and coming to school like a zombie. But everything paid off because when it came time for the essays especially, I wanted to cry tears of joy because I was actually well-informed on the topics! Keeping my fingers crossed when scores come out in July now! I still have my AP English test on Wednesday but I don't think any other test could be as insurmountable as APUSH xD

In this outfit, I'm wearing a new, galaxy print top which is from Your Eyes Lie. The black and white color is a nice take on the original, vibrant galaxy print trend. I decided to go with a darker look, maybe because the approach of APs felt like Doomsday. I played around with tucking in the shirt and I really like the way it looks when it falls asymmetrically! For the accessories, I added my beanie, striped tights (they always remind me of Halloween witch costumes), and my new choker necklace. I actually had the cross pendant from another necklace but I always lose the chains so I threaded it onto a length of velvet ribbon. Chokers are my newest obsession; even just a simple black one looks stunning (and you could make it really easily too). Does anyone remember those scrunchy, choker necklaces from the 90s? I recently found one in my room that has pumpkins on it!

I'm also holding another giveaway courtesy of Romwe; just follow the directions on the Rafflecopter widget below! :) You can win $60 freebies to spend as well as one of the sunglasses on the banner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here are some coupon codes for Romwe too which will expire on 5/20/12!

RomweMotherDay1 = Save $10 on purchases over $60

RomweMotherDay2 = Save $15 on purchases over $90

RomweMotherDay3 = Save $25 on purchases over $120

IRON MAN INSPIRED

Lace-Back Dress: c/o ShopAkira

(Similar: 1, 2, 3) 

Cut Out Cuffs: Forever 21

Wedges: Colin Stuart

Last night, or should I say, technically this morning, I finally saw THE AVENGERS!! My friends and I have been waiting to see this movie ever since we found out they would be making it and it was definitely worth the 3 hours of sleep I got today ;D The midnight premiere was so much fun because there were a ton of people who dressed up and everyone in our theater was so friendly and crazy about Marvel! To the theater, I wore the actual Iron Man costume I put together for Halloween, which you can see here. Then to continue on with the festive Marvel mood, today I wore my new red dress from Akira, and paired it with my set of gold arm cuffs for an Iron Man inspired look! :)

This dress has a lot of details that I love: the side cut outs, the tulip high-low maxi skirt, and best of all, the lace up back! This is a dress that is stunning without being overly revealing. Yes there are side cut-outs, but they are balanced out by the round neckline that does not sit too low. The skin revealed in the lace-up detailing is also balanced with the long length of the back of the high-low skirt! This dress even has a red bandage skirt lining inside for modesty so you don't have to worry too much about unfortunate gusts of wind. A great feature about the lace-up back is the ability to adjust it to various body shapes, whether you have a smaller or larger bust or waist, you can tie the laces tighter or looser to match your own measurements. Pretty genius in my opinion! I also added some additional links above to other similar dresses you can find on Akira; there's a turquoise one, a coral one, and a navy blue one!

Anyways, if you haven't seen The Avengers yet, get off the computer right now and go!! Aside from my RDJ bias that every movie he is in deserves an 11/10, the humor in this movie is incredibly well paced. It's not forced at all which is what makes it absolutely hilarious. I normally just find myself chuckling during the funny parts in movies but I kept bursting out laughing! In addition, despite the fact that many critics thought the movie would turn into a mess because of there being too many main characters, it was far from that. Every person had a key role in the movie and they all bounced off of each other equally. I can't rave enough about this movie. I even like it better than Sherlock Holmes ;)