Photo an Hour: Wednesday Feb 19th, 2014

8AM: I had wanted to sleep in some more after staying out with coworkers after work, but internal alarm clocks don't give a damn!

9AM: It's someone's breakfast time.

10AM: Working on a blog post...

11AM: Actually remembered to water my plants! I know that small one looks droopy, but it's growing some new buds! I just need to read up on how to properly prune it so it doesn't look like a zombie plant.

12PM: Finally leaving the house for the day...

1PM: Trying on outfits at Forever 21 (Bleh!). I went in for some sweaters for my trip and was not disappointed!

2PM: Still shopping at the Galleria...

3PM: Stopped at Barnes&Noble to find a book about Portland so I could look up some interesting hiking spots while we're there, but they only had Oregon specific books. Will have to wait till I'm in Portland to find a book I guess!

4PM: As soon as I got home and sat down to take off my shoes, this guy was on my lap!

5PM: No big deal, just an authentic home-made Mexican dinner!

6PM: Writing a list of information for my trip next week!

7PM: Finally installing the monoprice tablet I got for Xmas...

8PM: Watching some "Frasier" with my dad.

9PM: Ending the night with milk and cookies and video games. ^{(Another round of Dragon Age: Origins)}

I was really excited for this post. Not really for the content, it's just a typical day off of mine, but because I used it as a learning tool for my camera functions and it really paid off. I understand things so much better now. All the things my boyfriend taught me while I was being a total grump got through to me! I'm sure he'll be relieved to hear that. I have obviously not mastered photography, but I'm really pleased with what I did learn. I think I'll try to do a couple of these while I'm in Portland! I'm not really sure of my post schedule while I'm up there, because I won't have time to put together competent photo posts, and I won't have my tablet to post art either. We'll see! I'm sure I'll be able to think of something! Anyway, happy Friday all!

Wednesday Wishlist: Camera Gear Edition

I'm not sure if I want to keep Wednesday Wishlist on as a permanent installment, but I do think it's a great tool for me to organize things I want/need in categories! It might be helpful later on if I need to go back and find links to specific things I want.

1. Jo Totes: Rose Black // 2. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens // 3. PLR Optics 58MM Close-Up Macro Filter Set // 4. Manfrotto 190XPROB 3-Section Aluminum Pro Tripod // 5. Jo Totes: Gracie Butterscotch // 6. Neewer Shutter Release Timer Remote Control // 7. Smoke Gray Canvas Camera Bag // 8. Jo Totes: Missy Mint // 9. Green Handmade Leather Camera Bag // 10. Vello FreeWave Wireless Remote Shutter Release // 11. Vello Wireless ShutterBoss Timer Remote // 12. Polka Dot Camera Strap // 13. Folk Style Camera Strap // 14. Oppilas Wireless Shutter Release Remote

I've only recently gotten a DSLR and I still don't really know much about it. I've learned the basic functions for taking decent pictures, but I'm still finding new features everyday. I still feel like I'm just borrowing it from my boyfriend because there's nothing personalized about it. However, I need to wait until my vacation is over to really buy anything for it. I'm dying for a cute strap and a bag! I've been wrapping my camera and lenses up in bubble wrap and putting it in my backpack, which makes me so nervous because who knows what could happen when things aren't properly secured. So far I've been careful and lucky, but I'm really hoping to get a camera bag soon. I'm leaning towards functional, durable and practical, but I need one that also serves as a purse, and I'm a girl with a mom purse. Need a *insert anything under the sun here*? Well I have it in my purse! So I need a bag that serves as a purse to carry my numerous items as well as secures my camera safely!

I honestly would have bought the shutter release or remote already, but I'm at a total loss! I don't know which would be better for me at this point. Kaylah from The Dainty Squid recommended the Neewer shutter release, and her photos are top notch, but I'm not really sure I have the skill or knowledge at the moment to pull off compotent self-portraits with a wired shutter release. However I've also read a lot of reviews about wireless remotes that don't work well at distances or need to be pointed directly at the camera to work well. Once I get around more, I'd love taking pictures from a distance, so I'm not sure that would be ideal for me.
If you're a blogger or photographer that takes a lot of self portraits/outfit pictures, or is just really handy with a shutter release/remote, please feel free to offer any feedback you have with your own tools! I'd love as many opinions as possible before I spend the money. I'd really like to avoid spending it on an item that isn't right for me!

Outfit: Valentine Peach

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

The absolute best part of Valentine's Day for me is that a lot of fashion with hearts pops up! I love heart prints! I don't remember how far back my interest goes, but I remember being about 18 and getting my first decent cell phone (the original Razr!) and my first case for it was a black case with rainbow hearts all over it and I loved it to death. After that whenever I'd see heart prints, I'd snatch it up if I could, even if I didn't like the color much.

Outfit Details

Sweater: Target // Skirt/Tights: Asos // Boots: Steve Madden //
Anatomical Heart Necklace: Wicked Clothes // Earrings: Forever21

That's kind of what happened here. I hadn't wanted to spend money on something to wear for Valentine's Day, especially when I didn't have "real" plans with my boyfriend (we're broke and a fancy evening is out of the question). But then my mother emailed me saying she had the day off, and I basically forced her into being my Valentine! At first it just started with plans to eat a lot of ice cream while we watched our jilted lovers crime shows, but of course, I had to go and make everything complicated and planned an entire day for us.

I had to put the outfit together fast! I don't own a lot of red or pink. Red because I'm not sure I like it on me, and pink, while I love it, I can never seem to find anything pink that also suits my style as well. As I was shopping at Target for tons of candy, I saw this sweater, with its heart prints and couldn't get it out of my mind (even though peach has never been my color). I went back on 3 trips before finally deciding to grab it for myself. I had originally planned more red in the outfit with some shoes, but I didn't quite like the way it looked.

Anyway, since my last outfit post, my boyfriend has helped me figure out the camera a bit. The lighting is way off, but that was just my fault on timing. I'm slowly getting the hang of things though. Hopefully improvement is noticeable! I still have a lot to learn, but I'm really excited about the process!

Have a great Valentine's Day, whether you're staying at home cuddling up with a book or a sappy movie marathon, or going out with someone you love!

Valentine Cards

Hello all! It might be a bit late to post these, (and if you follow my art tumblr, you might have already seen these) but I made some Valentines that include my favorite things: pastels, puns, and junk food! These were pretty fun to make, though I'm not 100% happy with my font choices or my placement of text (CURSE TYPOGRAPHY!) but if I make anything similar in the future, I'll take what I learned from this little experiment! Anyway, they were just for fun, but feel free to use them if you so wish! I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's Day!

_{For those of you who like a bit more NSFW things, I'm also working on some Valentines that fall under that category and will be posted over at my art tumblr. They're kind of autobio in a sense but mostly just fun and naughty!}

Gloomy Sunday

So it's almost noon on another gloomy Sunday in Los Angeles. I'm still in bed, in my cat pajama onesie, trying to think if I can turn this day into something more interesting. I have about 3 hours to do so, because after that I go to my part-time waitressing job. I've been sipping on my tea, trying to get my energy up after a bit of a hectic double shift yesterday. Instead I let my cat sit on my chest, meaning I won't get up again until he does.

I'm pretty tired. After getting home a little after 1am from my job, I still had trouble getting to sleep. My internal alarm is set for 9am, so if I don't get to bed by 2, I'm out of luck for a good night's rest usually. I had planned a post today, but now I'm not so sure I have the energy to put it together. Blogging is hard!

I realized it would be before I started this little venture. Some of my favorite bloggers either blog full time, or work for themselves, so they have time to set their own schedule. Therefore they have the opportunity to make their blogs a part of their permanent schedules. My schedule is at the mercy of my job and it hasn't been easy for me to figure out how to fit blogging in between my other obligations. A lot of bloggers leave helpful tips on how to make blogs interesting, but I haven't come across anyone who remarks on how to make time for blogging. Blogging seems to be a hobby or interest that requires a lot of devotion and/or passion. I have the passion, but I need to find a way to devote and prioritize. I have a boyfriend who I don't live with, I have art projects, and commissions that require a large chunk of time.

I'm sure blogging is a thing that needs time to ease into (though I've seen a few other new bloggers that seem to have gotten a better hang of it than I have!) so I'm hoping my difficulties in timing and dedication will melt away the longer that I'm at this. I have no intentions of giving up, especially not so soon in the game! I just felt a need to muse about the issue. I've always been better at tackling issues once I've gotten them off my chest, rather than leaving them to fester in my mind until I push myself down too far.

I'm beginning to schedule my posts in a planner, but even those get a bit sidetracked at times due to picking up extra shifts, or spending unscheduled days out! For those of you that blog on the side, have you found a routine to manage your time better?

Liebster Award!

Hello all, I hope your Thursday is going good so far! Recently I was given a Liebster Award by Gwen from A Geek and Her Oven!

What is a Liebster Award?

"Well, it is only an AWESOME award given to up and coming bloggers. Given by other up and coming bloggers. It's a cool way to find other blogs and feel like you are getting into the blogging stratosphere. It is simple, you get nominated by someone else, mention their page and a link to their blog in your Liebster Award Post, answer the 11 questions they give you, then tag 11 other nominees and give them a new set of 11 questions to answer."

Questions:

1. What's your favorite book?
I'm pretty sure I can say without a doubt The Blue Sword by Robin Mckinley! It's a YA fantasy book that I read in high school, and the vivid imagery and loveable characters have stayed with me ever since! I've always enjoyed a good fantasy novel with a main character that is female! Another really great YA fantasy with such a character is Sabriel, by Garth Nix. That book is practically perfect in every way. So I guess it's a tie!
2. What is one piece of clothing that you can't live without?
I think, despite it being one of the least attractive articles of clothing I own, I have an oversized dark blue post office employee sweater given to me by my dad, via my aunt (who is a post office employee). It's tattered and faded and flimsy looking, but it keeps me warm in all kinds of weather!
3. Where would you go for you dream vacation?
These questions don't get easy do they? I have so many spots in mind for lovely vacations! I think my top choice would have to be Japan though. Even for the food and the architecture alone! It would be a shock to be in such a different culture, but I think I'd love it. It's definitely the ultimate vacation destination for me.
4. Who would play you in a film about your life?
I honestly have a hard time thinking of a Latina actress with features anywhere close to mine. This one is pretty impossible for me to answer, as the actresses I know with similar figures are all white. If you want to throw out a suggestion go for it!
5. If you could, where would you take a time traveling machine to?
Don't you mean when? I'm not sure. I guess I'd go to my younger self (early 20s?) and try to jumpstart my love for myself at an earlier age. I'm a late bloomer and I know a good chunk of that is due to my insecurities growing up. It would have been nice to know then what I know now! I think if I had felt more comfortable back then, I would have done a lot more with my life by now.
6. What is one movie you can watch over and over and never get tired of?
Okay it depends on my mood. I have a few movies that fall under this category. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Lost in Translation, Julie and Julia, Amelie and Disney's Tarzan. They all connect with a certain part of me, and they're all movies I need to watch at least once a year (but usually more often!).
7. Who is your current celebrity crush?
I'm pretty sure Christina Hendricks takes up this role for now and forever.
8. Do you collect anything? Books, art supplies, comics, mugs. I know art supplies are weird to collect. I use them as well, but I definitely have a ton more than I currently need. But I think my main collection is mugs. Whenever I go on a trip, that's usually my souvenir of choice.
9. What is one of your goals for 2014?
Well if you're curious about this one, my blog post 30 before 30 covers this subject in great detail!
10. Name a TV show that you really liked that got canceled too soon or no longer airs.
ALL the shows I liked? Life, Eli Stone, Firefly, Pushing Daisies...to name a few!
11. If you could be on the set of a movie or tv show for a day, which would you go to?
I think Sleepy Hollow seems like a fun set to be on!

Unfortunately, I don't follow a lot of new blogs, so I don't have anyone to nominate that I haven't found through being nominated by another blogger. If you'd like to suggest some new blogs, I'm always open to reading blogs by some cuties! See ya'll later!

Wednesday Wishlist: Rainy Day Edition

I've been bleaching and dying my hair all day long, so I thought it was a perfect time to try out a new blog theme! Ever since I booked my trip to Portland, Oregon, I've been looking all over at different cozy things to wear in gloomy and rainy weather. I love rainy gray weather no matter the season, but living in California most of my life has made it nearly pointless to stock up on rainy weather gear. If the trip goes well, I'll be heading to Portland permanently later in the year! For now I'll just dream up cozy rainy day outfits.

1. Wool Mix Wide Cable Scarf

I love thick fluffy scarves, and I seem to be going through a neon yellow/lime phase, so this scarf is right up my alley and would be perfect to protect me from the breeze on rainy days.

2. Roars and Stripes Sweater

You don't know this about me yet, but once I start putting more outfits up, you'll realize that I LOVE tigers. I was SO THRILLED when this tiger fashion trend popped up! I basically bought all things tiger and haven't stopped since! This tiger looks really warm and so cute!

3. Better Shake Up Pants

I'm not a huge fan of pants in general. I have to wear them a lot for work and it's a pain because we all know there is rarely a "perfect" pair of pants that will just sit exactly where you want them to without you having to pull on the waist all the time! It's even worse when it's cold outside and lower waisted pants leave your lower back cold whenever you move the wrong way! I think these high-waisted pants would solve that issue. They also look stretchy so comfort wouldn't be a problem either!

4. Landmarks that I Love Backpack

I don't know about you, but for me, rainy weather is backpack weather! I like sporting a backpack in lieu of a purse every now and then. I don't like taking purses where they may get dirty or scuffed, so a backpack is great for less than perfect weather, and this one from Modcloth is so cute and a great color!

5. Watercolor Workshop Top

I've been lusting after this top for so long! I'm only worried it won't fit, which is why I haven't snatch it up yet. I love stripes and I love the cut of the shirt itself. The colors also seem a perfect fit for gloomy weather.

6. Rain, Rain Grow Away

My confession is that I've never been a big fan of the classic rain boot. I remember having a pair in elementary school, and not understanding the concept of having to switch out while indoors. I was stuck in those clunky things throughout the day and still managed to get my socks wet! Granted I was (am) a clumsy kid, and probably splashed in too many deep puddles! These shoes are definitely more up my alley. I love the pattern and the slight transparency. And these seem to take away the necessity to switch out boots when they're functional as regular boots!

7. I Heart Umbrellas

Can't go out in the rainy day without your cute umbrella! I think one of my favorite patterns is hearts so I loved this umbrella as soon as I saw them. Plus a transparent umbrella has always been preferred because it doesn't put a dark shadow over you while you're out like other material might.

8. Black Convertor Gloves

Converter gloves are nice because they warm my hands, but I can still get around without the limiting thickness of fingers when I need to.

9. Cat Face Beanie

I think this one is pretty self-explanatory, but a hat with a cat on it? I'm sold!

Last but not least: Parka with Zip Details

No warm outfit is complete without a coat. This parka from ASOS is unbelievably cool! I love all the geometry of it! So many lines and angles! Plus I'm a sucker for buckles (useless or otherwise). This would be great for a rainy day or any day really. I love it so much!!

Hopefully I'll get the hang of setting up posts ahead of time and juggling work. I'd like to try and set up posts for updates that are earlier in the day. Have a lovely evening!

Kung Hei Fat Choy!: Los Angeles Golden Dragon Parade

Yesterday my boyfriend and I headed out to Chinatown for the Los Angeles Golden Dragon Parade to check out the festivities of the Lunar New Year. I want to take in as many LA specific activities this year before I move out of the city, and he's lived in LA all his life, Chinatown was one of his major hangouts, and he had never been to a New Year celebration! It was really noisy and colorful! Not a second went by without hearing bang-snaps or poppers going off!

I have to admit, I really enjoyed the confetti flying everywhere, even if it always seemed to find its way into my shirt! After walking around for a while, we found an empty spot to park it and watch the parade go by.

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The parade was a colorful feast for the eyes (aside from the Wal-Mart truck that drove through *coughtackycough*) and we had a good time over all. I'd definitely be interested in doing something similar next year, if I'm not in the city. Hopefully by that time, I'll have learned a thing or two about photo composition. ;)
Happy Lunar New Year to all! I hope you all have a lovely day, and an excellent year of the Horse!

^{All photos of me were taken by boyfriend, Boun Prasert}