Friday, April 25, 2014

#haul: i could drop so much money at this place...

Easter Sunday, my friend and I were trying to go shopping for gifts for our Kiwanis Advisor for banquet. Everything was CLOSED. I don't know if things are different here or I just don't remember clearly, but stores were never closed back home. I remember spending Easter morning at mass, then going shopping or out to eat with my mom and sister afterwards. So I was pretty surprised (and slightly frustrated) that everything was closed.

The only stores that weren't closed were Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, and Daiso Japan.

We walked around Barnes & Noble for a bit, spending most of the time looking at children's books. We were reminiscing about books we read as a child, how many of the picture books on the shelves we didn't recognize, and how much things have changed. It doesn't seem like the last time we picked up picture books and small chapter books for enjoyment was 10+ years ago.

After driving around endlessly and finally finding the gift at Wal-Mart (that would later be returned for a better one found when stores were open), we stumbled upon Daiso Japan. The Daiso here was closed for a while, but they reopened in another location, and I was so happy to hear that.

I was first introduced to Daiso Japan over the summer. I was visiting my best friend in OC, and she brought me there to kill time. Everything is $1.50 unless otherwise priced. They have everything from home supplies to school supplies to beauty accessories and makeup ! Plus everything is 349028430x cuter than your average Dollar Tree. You can see why I could drop so much money at this place...

Floral Hair Scrunchy, Mint Polka Dot & Pink Flower Washi Tape, and a Fish Pouch - all for $1.50 each !
I only managed to get these three items before my friend pulled me out of the store, even though I only got to look through half of it. I'm kind of thankful he did; I don't know how much more money I would have spent (although it would've been sooooo worth it).


The first item I got is a floral hair scrunchy. They had two or three different designs, but this one matches most of my outfits more than the others. Because of work & the weather is getting a bit warmer, I've been putting my hair up more than ever (plus it hides my second-day hair !). The scrunchy will make my ponytails and buns look cuter than with a normal black hair tie.


Next item I got is a roll of washi tape. I love washi tape. I never turn down the opportunity to buy more. I liked this pattern the best out of the ones that were available.

It looks like a fish when you pull the drawstrings !
The last item I got is this fish pouch. It was one of the first items I saw when I walked into the store... and I couldn't resist buying it. It's just SO CUTE. Currently, I am using it to hold my computer charger, mouse, and earphones for when I'm on the go, but it's a teeny bit too small. I have to find a different use for it, but it's a spontaneous purchase I definitely do not regret.

I want to use (some of) my first paycheck on a shopping spree at this place, and buy some more fun Asian things to cute-ify my life. I just love this store so much.

We'll meet again soon, Daiso Japan.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

#ootd: i was in a rush this morning...

Hello again ! I'm here with another #ootd post.

I was rushing this morning. I had an hour and a half gap between my first class and my next class, and I didn't get the chance to shower before my first class, but I wanted to make a meeting I had half an hour after my first class ended (I hope that wasn't too confusing).

TL;DR or DU;DR (didn't understand; didn't read) - I had thirty minutes to shower, get food, and get to the meeting.

Was I successful ? Kinda... I was 15 minutes late to the meeting. But it wasn't too formal of a meeting so it wasn't a big deal.

Actually, I was kind of late to a lot of things today. After the meeting I had class, but I was 5 minutes late to class. Later, I went to my boyfriend's place to take a nap and eat some soup he cooked... and I was 5 minutes late to my next class.

I digress.

Because I wanted to look put-together despite being short on time, I came up with a simple outfit in the time it took to walk from class back to my apartment.

Shirt: Polo Ralph Lauren - Hand-me-down from my mom !
Tank Top: ??? - My cousin gave it to me since she didn't want it anymore.
Shorts: Papaya
Belt: Forever 21
Socks: Marshall's
Boots: Steve Madden
Two of my favorite pieces, the blue button-up shirt and the boots, are featured in this outfit. The blue shirt adds flavor to an otherwise very casual outfit, and the boots add grunge/heaviness to the airy feel of the graphic tank and shirt (plus, I had a class that ends pretty late and my feet get chilly easily so +1 for functionality).

These items (blue button-up/chambray shirt, graphic tank, black shorts, combat boots, and accessories) are very essential closet items so anyone can put this outfit together. It looks super cute and casual, but minimal effort and time is required to style it.

Remember to hype my outfit on Lookbook.nu :) Keep checking for more posts and more #ootds soon~

Saturday, April 5, 2014

#ootd: for those weird cool, but sunny days...

Hi everyone !

It's the end of week one of Spring Quarter, so I still have relatively enough free time to lounge around on the Internet and do nothing (although I should probably do some physics or ochem homework...).

My boyfriend and I celebrated the end of week 1 by watching a movie ! This morning, we went to the local movie theater and watched Hayao Miyazaki's last film, The Wind Rises. I definitely recommend it, especially if you are a fan of his other works (Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, etc.). It was very bittersweet, movie plot-wise and reality-wise. I hope that future Studio Ghibli films will be as great as the legacy Miyazaki has established.

Anyways, the movie showing was at 9:30am, so it was pretty early to be up. The weather said it was to be cool, but knowing San Diego, cool is... actually nice. It is also the first week of April and Springtime, so I thought it would be fun to wear shorts instead of pants, but I wanted to stay warm just in case it did actually get a bit cold.

Solution: sweater, shorts, boots.

Sweater: Fashion Q
Shorts: from thrifting. They were ugly jeans but I cut them into shorts. I liked the high-waistish feel of the shorts and the wash.
Socks: Marshall
Boots: Steve Madden
Because I didn't want bring a purse to the movie theater, I wore this jacket to hold my wallet and glasses. I love how this jacket makes everything look better put-together. I also love its functionality.

Jacket: Forever 21
This outfit is one of my better outfits I have put together since coming to college; although I've been more fashion-forward, I do have those lazy bummin'-it-in-a-shirt-and-jeans-or-leggings kind of days. This just happened to not be one of those days.

Like this look on my Lookbook.nu (: I look forward to posting more #ootds on here in the near future~