The Nostalgia Show

On February 21, Natalia and Elgin rounded up a bunch of Chicago artists to create pieces based off our favourite childhood cartoons and also video games for the Nostalgia Show.
It was great looking at pieces that the other artists did, and great to be in an environment literally bursting with creativity! The place was packed!!

Shintendo and Vagabond from The Terra Gods, Elephant Rebellion, and WestSide School for the Desperate had AMAZING hip hop and poetry performances throughout the night. I never knew that DragonBall Z and also random video games from my childhood could be made into poetry!

I was also able to meet up with some familiar faces as well! Kira*Kira (Black Cherry and Gal*luxy) and her boyfriend Kurt, Chris and Doga, Crystal, Tim, and Ashley all made it out!

From Ivonne Chavez

Lovemi Designs

My Ahh! Real Monsters piece and I.

Natalia Virafuentas

Natalia Sustaita

Elephant Rebellion

Lovemi Design

Elgin

Nat and Tan

Spirit Bomb...for 10 episodes

2602 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Fashion Woah No's

There are a lot of gyaru based fashion pieces and accessories that I adore or like, and I usually do not come across very weird things. But on tumblr, I found this accessory from me jane that is partially cute, but then kind of funky looking.

I like fur, and I like denim, but the underside of this fur warmer looks like some 90s contraption. I think that it would way better if the denim was a solid colour than this patch work business going on.






I came across this on Once Upon a Time Blog...beanie veils .

I like veils... I like beanies... Especially with a big, cute 'n fluffy pompom. But this contraption? I have yet to actually see it outside and outside of the blog I found it on. The two right pics it kind of looks ok, until you come across the damned pompom. Maybe I should just throw some tulle on something and try to market it if this is what people will buy. 

Tutuha Dress

Glavil and Tutuha have had items that I probably drooled too much over. I found this dress while surfing on Tumblr, and had to pause, squint, and give it a few more look overs. Bows can be cute and girly, but this is way to over done for me. I think that :1. ditching the bows on the skirt part and at the waist  or 2. ditching all the bows except the waist one would make it more appealing and would keep it girly.

That concludes today's Fashion Woah No's.

Thank you for reading!
Mata ne my chocopies!

late nights

My buddy and Valentine...
Haha!!

Pretty tired of winter. It feels like it has been going on forever now! Tired of looking at snow, shoveling it, walking through it....
I just want it to be warm so I can enjoy outside again instead of being kooked up inside. I guess that is what they call cabin fever.

I have been working on pieces/concepts/stuff for my portfolio and art showings so I can have better things to show. Still have to photograph a lot of things, redo ,and also finish stuff. The amount of work seems never ending but it keeps my creative side going.

I really want a little vacation... Take a needed break. Go shopping. Go on a relaxing night drive with stars over head. Chill out for real.
Hopefully, that will come this year.

Besides a Valentines Night Friends Get Together with some Korbel, chocolates, and Dance Masters, I just do  my part time, studying way too late into the break of dawn, too much over-thinking {I still feel like I am in the twilight zone}, and website coding. :s Need to get back into P90 though... But cookies, other sweets, and pizza are super tempting... Must resist! ahhaha!

Also, besides a few days where I do some gal make...I have been looking pretty Plane Jane lately! But working hard for a much needed and revamped look! Plus creating tons of new content and projects! Stay tuned!


Matane

Ulzzang Madness!

The in thing is an ovally, egg/pizza slice shaped heads, and barely visible nostrils and nose bridge!
Pepa has transformed me and some other girls from our regular selves to a Beautiful , natural, and pizza/dorito shaped ullzangs!

Ms. Pepa

Ms. Ina

Ms. kels

In with the big eyes and out with your jaw line!!

Ms. Galaxxy

Me! before, much normal

Much ulzzang!

Such natural edits helps us achieve our dolly Ulzzang style! Who knew that Ulzzang  fashion was the way to go than gyaru?!1?



Matane , my chocopies!
oops I mean, Annyeong my kimbaps!

Editing done by Pepa. Photos from their respective owners. 

Silliness brought to you by Me,Pepa and the lovely ladies who let us use their pix

Lolita

It has been quite a while since I wanted to become a Lolita and wear frilly dresses and look like an over-sized baby doll.

I used to be able to name quite a few of the brands, be able to look at pictures of dresses and be able to call out the brand they belong to, know that cheap lace and not wearing your petticoats were a no-no.
Ah...  Those were the days! of being a super lurker...
Buuuuut... I eventually found my way into a different fashion genre that many of you all already know.

Some of the things I still find interesting is the shift for a lot of things for Lolita wear:
make up, lashes, false deco nails, and wigs. ESPECIALLY the two tone wigs from places like Mintymix. It was a bit bizarre for me, and I am just an outsider in the fashion!

But, in a way, it is kinda cute. It takes the innocence to a whole. 'nother. level.

Images from deerstalkerpictures Loli documentary

Not sure if I'd be able to pull off wearing so many cute things though...

When the weather gets warmer, Gabriela will be one of the people who will have her way with me!!

uh... Lolita styling wise of course! 

>.>;

<.<

>_______>;;;

I had gotten a chance to do her make up many years ago, and I will see how to style a Lolita outfit from head to toe with her guidance, and also learn a few things from some Milwaukee Lolis!

Yippu! 

matane my chocopies

Review: Bang and Olufsen earphones

I got these pair of earphones as a gift and gave them a try. 

Spex:
22 grams
Electro-dynamic speakers

Available Colours:
Aluminium x black, white, green, orange, yellow

Set includes:
Earset
3 pairs of ear pads
Carrying pouch
Manual

Plus:

• They are adjustable! I have small ears, so it is nice that the bracket of the earphone is adjustable to the length of the ear. 
• The earbud also swivels as well for your perfect fit.
• The sound is great for a pair of earbud headphones.

Cons:

• The bracket gets in the way when wearing sunglasses and also tends to get a little uncomfortable after a period of wear.
• The earphone jack, as with all earphone jacks, can get damaged. It is advised that you carefully tuck the earphones back in their carrying pouch when not in use, and not wrap them around your mp3 player ,iPod, phone, etc. 
• The soft rubber part that is attached to the bracket does not protect the wire all that well.
• The metal parts get cold in the winter which make them a little uncomfortable.

Rating (out of 5):

Design: 4

Audio: 4

Comfort: 3

Price: $$$$

This item was reviewed and not sponsored by Bang and Olufsen

Andy's Jazz club

Friday I was invited out to a jazz club. Yippu.

I have never been, so it was a new experience for me. And a very nice one on top of that(music wise).

I think I may have dressed a bit too casual for the occasion, but meh. 

Met some new people and stayed up wayyy past my bedtime, but because of it, I had a lot of creative energy flowing in my body!

Live Jazz music

Andy's was great! Very chill and relaxing place to chat over live jazz music, drinks and/or food! It was a bit much to take in all at once and so quickly at that while meeting new people and scoping out the area.Though there was quite a bit of people around the bar area and the spacing between the stage and bar chairs was a tad narrow,  I would definitely like to make another round back here sometime soon.

I also might look into a different field for work .
I just need to see how it is done I guess so that I am comfortable.

I wonder what this or next weekend will look like! Also looking into getting a new phone soon. Need better pic quality.

mata ne my chocopies.

Andy's Jazz Bar

11 E Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60611

http://www.andysjazzclub.com/

Nail Spam PT2

More nail spam!

Four Belly Dinner!

I met up with Pepa, Alex, Rachel and Ken for a dinner at Four Belly in Boystown. I wanted some takoyaki and posted it online, and Pepa knew of a place that sold some! The atmosphere was lovely, and it is a nice dinner spot either with your pals or a lover, and the takoyaki was awesome. 8)

I know I will definitely find myself here again when I need a takoyaki and/or ramen fix!

Need to work on the side from sticking up like that. 

Pepa at dinner!

 I had my takoyaki and a big bowl of Kara Miso ramen. It was so good. 

たこやきとからみそラーメンを食べた。美味しかった

cute piggy!
かわいいぶたちゃん

Pepa's sexy outfit!

I was a bit tired, but happy that I got to spend some time with her.

WCG's Spotlight

Interview: Shigetomo Of MGX Factory

Shigetomo is a Japanese illustrator and designer, residing in Osaka, Japan. He likes to collect inspiration for his illustrations from Facebook and also collects vintage pictures books. In his drawn world, he creates big, alien eyed girls called Monster Girls with frowns on their faces, accompanied with cats or rabbits also with frowns and angry looking eyes. His colour scheme is centered on pastels and also polka dots he also takes inspiration from cats, rabbits, and mushrooms.

 He was inspired by graffiti design and typography. Shigetomo also has a café, inspired by East Germany.  He has created prints and also clothes with his work on them for sale. His design products range from t shirts, bags, prints for soap dispensers, and even has an iPhone app available to Japanese iPhone holders. He and his wife also design dolls, both having different from each other. He enjoys solo rides on his bike.

Book spotlight in a British book

Interview

Lisha: Good evening,  Shigetomo. It has been a while since we have talked. I have some (interview) questions for you if you have some time.

Shigetomo: Good evening!

L: I would like to know your inspiration for your works.

S: What sort of inspiration do you want to talk about?

L: Any type of inspiration from you is fine. Art, books, anything.

S: You mean, that… What I got inspiration from? I got it from old picture books and young fashion. And cat and rabbit, etc.

MGX shirt

L: Cat and rabbit? I don’t know if I know of them… (thinking they were specific characters or not) Real animals? (Your animals) look like cute stuffed animal toys.

S: Yes, real cats and rabbits. They are adorable! A lot of ideas come when I see them!

L: That’s interesting! Your drawn girls look kind of like the cats too. What do you think about Graffiti style? Some of your old art has a bit of the same feeling to it. Was it your inspiration before?

S: Graffiti is an interesting art that tested all kinds of typographies.

L: I think the world needs a bit of Monster Girl Graffiti in it! Who are some of your favorite artists?

S: Anime, Sci fi movies, Manga… I watched a lot of them. I like Evelin, Mark Ryden, Rita Ackermann and more. I like old European picture books. Especially Kuhn, Werner, and Klemke.

L: Thank you for the list! I like Rita’s work! Why are the girls “Monster Girls”?

S: Monster Girls are mysterious, strange emotion girls. Just look like they are mad or upset. Also, Monster Girls are made from mushrooms. They are mushroom people.

L: Interesting! I didn't know they were from mushrooms. So, What do you do when you do not feel very
creative? And were there any mentors for you, or do you have one now?

S:  I like mushrooms. I will read a book of mushrooms and fungi when ideas do not come to me. When you are in a café talking to friends is also a good idea to have ideas come to me.

I currently do not have a mentor. Before, I worked at a graphic design firm, but illustration was self taught.

L: Thank you for the interview! I really appreciate it!

You can also download the Monster Girl messenger app for your Android phone to send a cute note to a friend!

MGX App

Originally published for Columbia College Chicago, Winter 2013

 (Thank you to Hidenori Onishi for helping with the translation.
Photos courtesy of MGX and Yamamoto Shigetomo)

MA*RS Global Site UP!

Hello Gals! 

Great news has fallen upon all the MA*RS lovers out there!

 MA*RS has an official global online site with store links now up and running!

For all the gals who are in love with the very feminine, sexy cute touch that MA*RS offers, 

you can now access their merchandise and view behind the scenes photographs
of your beloved brand through their link:

http://www.mars-saja.com

Happy Shopping!

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014!

This year, who do you want to thank? 
I saw this question being posed on Mixi, so here goes!The people I want to thank the most for 2013 are my x, my roommates, Golds Infinity staff,  My friends (gal and non gals). And of course my mom and my family for always being there. Thank you so much! I had a lot of opportunities this year, a lot of growing up and learning!
Its definitely time to start writing that long list of resolutions!

Also, pics from the Futuristic themed party my roommates and I threw.