Gal Meet In Chinatown

Pepa, Jade, and Lora and her family met up to talk over food at My Place (not, not my apartment, its a restaurant in Chinatown), and to give Lora her Gal Make over courtesy of Pepa! We shared stories about what led us into pursuing gal fashion, bought sweets, even saw a high school friend randomly before we ate, and met up with Jade's friends too!
We also shared ice creams on sticks before we split up to run errands and what not, then met back up later in the day and watched a movie together.

My meal!

Pepa's veggies!

Pepa's Salt pepper squid. 

Doing make up!

Pepa helped Lora with her make up and gave her a Gal Transformation! Complete with lashes too!

She was really happy! 

There were a lot of people in Chinatown on Friday! I think they were having a field trip!

Candy! Almonds and Chocolate are delicious together.

Jade and I were going to get a regular sized pack of make up removing wipes, but Pepa gave us an awesome suggestions for Studio 35's twin pack that would last us longer and be a better deal for us!
YAY! You can get them at Walgreens!

Thanks for hanging with us Lora! 

You can read Jade's post here!

マタネ

WCG's Spotlight

Interview: Laura Cioroianu

I came across Laura a few years ago when she sent me a friend request. She stood out to me due to her interest in gothic and visual kei fashion. She is from Romania and lives in Craiova and has appeared in quite a few news episodes due to her love for VK fashion style.

Lisha: Does your work or past education helped you with your inspiration or outfits?(for
example working at a job that helps you with a different aspect of fashion, or taking
classes about fashion design, etc)

Laura Cioroianu :

Since I have a nursing degree , my past education has really nothing to do with my inspiration for everything I am trying to do in a pleasant way.
I was a makeup trainer but volunteer for almost half a year in 2013 in a small makeup school from my city .

The experience from there helped me too and to like even more makeup and all of the things I am going now .

Also I will throw this month the first party from Craiova city , a show inspired by the visual kei music scene in Japan .
and I try to make this party more diverse, including a fashion parade with my interpretations by some street clothing styles in Tokyo .

I will use everything that needs from my personal clothes and all that it takes , for all the people for the parade from head to toe, including the decoration of the club . For now this show will be like a challenge for myself since I will take care of almost everything with my own money, which its really hard , but i am looking forward to see people reactions from this city .
If this show will be a success this will be the beginning only .


Lisha: Has anything in your childhood inspired you to dress up?

Laura Cioroianu : To be honest no , not at all .
I was such a tomboy many years of my childhood.

Lisha:What else besides Visual Kei inspires your outfits and style? What are your favorite
bands that you draw inspiration from?

Laura Cioroianu : Simply people . Every time I had the opportunity to meet someone really creative and unique I am so inspired .I feel so honored when I meet these kind of people .
I am inspired a lot also just by watching online pictures with ordinary people from Tokyo.
I like to admire their creativity and then i am trying to get a piece of what I like the most from them for my creations .

My favourite bands from many others from Japan are X Japan ,Buck Tick and Penicillin .
I draw a lot of inspiration from mister Hakuei the vocalist from Penicillin.
He was and still my all time muse when i want to create something related only to the Japanese visual kei scene of course in this case .

Lisha: Ah! Cool! What non fashion forms do you draw inspiration from?

Laura Cioroianu : Mostly my saddest moments and my dreams . When something negative happen to me I try to express & get away that sad feeling from my heart into creating something new related to art , doesn't matter if its makeup, a draw on a paper or inventing an outfit .


Lisha: That is a great idea!
I know that some places are apprehensive to people expressing themselves through wearable
forms of expression. How is it dressing in Craiova, Romania?

Laura Cioroianu : The world is pretty closed-minded here Craiova city but there are a lot of
wonderful people who support me a lot and I try to keep near those kind of people .
Actually one of the reasons that i want to trow that kind of shows like I told you previously , it is to create a place for all those people who don`t have the guts to dress however they like on the streets but they can at my shows .I want them to feel free and to say : At this kind of parties I feel me and noone isjudging me or the way my style is at all here .

Lisha: Have you traveled anywhere? Where would you like to go?

Laura Cioroianu : I went to Belgium , Germany and Nederlands
I would like to visit Japan so much in the future . I think its awesome there .

Lisha: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Laura Cioroianu : Listening to music its almost like breathing for me, drawing sometimes , dancing & singing.

She has also subtitled her video clips from news channels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JVxqfG6VRg

News Clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opCrca0Eb3c&list=UUCG5pBjot2NLnntXqEyXLyw

Kawaii International
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXdFB7nn3XQ&list=UUCG5pBjot2NLnntXqEyXLyw

Time for sleep!

yum! eyebags!!

I have about an hour to get in more rest before the meet up! We are going to Chinatown to catch up with Pepa and also a gyaru baby, Lora! I have no clue why I couldn't fall asleep though! Usually I get pretty restless when I have a flight, but I am just taking the train, so I don't get it. o.O
But, it would be like a million years since Pepa, Jade, and I have chilled together... I think since the March me2... last year! So that is pretty big!
I have about half an hour to try and nap while my ridiculously long vid tries to upload to youtube.

Also, lost about 16 pounds from the weight I gained eating take out pretty much every night last year. I am also drinking more water too and limiting a lot of soda again. Weight stuff is usually a touchy topic for a lot of people, especially girls. I just know that for myself, that overeating and eating a lot of sugary things will not benefit me in any way and would just lead to more problems down the line. Eating my feelings is HORRID too!! So, I just try to be productive or parapara or something. Way better than stuffing my face with a whole pack of chocolate chip cookies!


Well, time for a nap! >0<;

Otaku vs.Gyaru

Otaku is a term that usually people don't put in the same sentence as Gyaru. 

Otaku translates to nerd. (n.) a person with obsessive interests {such as manga and/or anime, and may lack in social skills especially with the opposite sex.} 

Also means "you" or "your house", in Japanese. A polite honorific.

You may even have seen them, at anime conventions, or maybe even at your school's anime club. 

They are all around you! 

While Gyaru, translates to a fashionable girl who dresses cute and trendy.  

They can be seen wearing the latest styles, with bold and at times elaborate make up and hair, and looking girly.

So you can see the big divide between the two, right?

When I was a little seasoned on Ricoche.net, it seemed like a big No-no to even mention that you liked anime, gaming or manga. If you did (like myself...), you were not a real gyaru, and just an otaku or worse yet! A weeaboo! (like I was called in 2008 by a gyaru who had did the fashion for a little bit longer than myself!)

The term Weeaboo seemed to have sprung up in about 2008 or so where I lived. See definition here if you are of the loop! 

Anyhoo...

Putting that little tangent aside, I had tried to save a lotta face by not mentioning anime around my more gyaru peers and sneaking off into an anime club in my first year of college (they had a big room and a viewing screen so it was like you were at a small film showing!!) and trying to squeeze in time to play some good ol' Final Fantasy. 

Now, people seem to be more accepting to those who are into gyaru and also like anime, manga and things of that nature. And I am glad!! A lil mad that this happened AFTER LIKE, HOW MANY YEARS THO?! 

But glad that girls/gals like accept that side of themselves and are not ashamed to share it. Plus, anime conventions are a great stomping ground for meeting up with various gals if they don't live in the area!

Why let hobbies and interests keep you apart? 

What is even more interesting, is that there can be Otaku with other interests than just games and anime! From obsessing over fashion or camera devices, to being closeted otaku or spreading their interests with the world! 

Max's video about the topic at hand

What are you an "otaku" for?

New Vid up!

I finally jumped on board with a Youtube "welcome to my channel" video! 

I am excited to release new video content on YT and try my hand at different things

than just make up tutorials! 

I hope you will enjoy what is soon to come on my channel and blog!

There will not only be make up, but attempts at hair styling tutorials,

my favorite products and items,

and guest appearances from other gals and friends!

Stay tuned!

マタネ

Games, Chi fi, and Geekbar Oh My! (pic heavy!!)

This post is a mash-up of a couple events at once.  

On Saturday, I went to check out some of Chi-fi, doing blog stuff for SUGARGAMERS as well as for my own blog, albeit a bit late. I met a pretty passionate guy who incorporated cows and cow related themes with Star Trek. I should have been taking notes on his jokes though!

Unfortunately at an after-party/event, my drink was drugged on the second day of Chi-fi when I was dressed as a Matrix-themed Catgirl with a lot of the Chicago gaming community. I was harassed by a man who was banned (BANNED!!) at the convention, and I lost other footage for this article when my camera and phone were stolen off my person. The girl gaming group I came with didn't do anything, didnt even get a text back when i was trying to tell them i was on my way back. And the bystanders thinking I wanted to be bothered by someone I didn't know who was touching me inappropriately is  such a worse feeling. 

There was one painting I really liked that was blue and in a circular format. I wish there was a thumbnail on his site so I could see it again!

A maiden fair, maketh me a potion.

Chinatown Dinner Day

I wanted to head to Chinatown for dinner.
I decided to wear a dress Mogi gave me. I usually don't wear florals, but its nice to try out and see if  i liked it or if it suits me!

     

outfit pic

When I arrived to Chinatown, I decided on My Place for dinner and I enjoyed teriyaki beef dish .

She recognized me from my blog!

yowza! i look like  a ghostttt!

Afterwards,I decided on Brando's Speakeasy for drinks! The music was a downer and was ruining the mood until they played more upbeat musics.
 
I had a nice night out on Sunday and also tried out some new candy too!

Macaron Day Friend Meet

March 24, 2014

On Saturday, Ami came to Chicago and hosted a Macaroon Day  meet up!

Ami and Purin

I met Japanese and Korean song cover artist, Naniko! 

Choco Cuties!

Yummies!

Choco Macaroons are definitely my fave.

Drop it like its hot, Moe Version!

Chocolate dilemma? More like a Chocolate solution!

I had a feeling that Naniko seemed familiar, but I was not sure. But, it was nice meeting more people from an online community. I missed the dinner and smoothie part of the day due to my schedule, but I was able to attend the Karaoke half! 

Thank you for coming to Chicago and making the Macaroon meet!
Hope to see you again!

A Not So Gloomy Sunday

A gyaru acquaintance, came over again on Saturday. ;-;

We had pizza, wine, and ice cream and watched two movies together.

On Sunday, though it was cold as the Artic in Chicagoland, I decided to wear a dress I haven't worn yet. I have been looking more into Onee gyaru/Ane Gyaru, office/conservative type looks lately.

Dress and a few accessories. My sad lil jacket not pictured 

Accessoriezz. I actually do not own Decorative's lashes though,
 but a pair of Diamond lashes in disguise. I think they are Cat's Eye

Dinner was an appetizer of raw fish, scallop and oysters.
I am not a big oyster fan, but the other pieces of fish was delicious! I want to go back there!!

Last night's code. Omitted the belt to keep it simple.

Spectacles

 For breakfast/lunch today, my associate and I went to a restaurant. I had a cajun pasta dish with sausage, shrimp and chicken. The service was pretty off though and I thought the dish would be a bit spicier.

It was decent. 

Talking about life, and what I want to do now that I am done with school  makes me feel really old, and a bit anxious. I want things to happen NOW NOW NOW, but I know that all that I am trying to do will fall into place like the earth's plates being shifted slowly. It is nice to talk things over and get my head into gear with things.

Ciao Ciao!

A Few Things Here and There

I have been studying and reading wayyyyyy too much lately! Even one of my coworkers at work tells me "Haven't you studied enough?" 

:P

I prolly am doing more studying now more than ever! :X

On Valentines day, I chilled with some Elementary school and high school buddies with a bottle and pizza rolls! :D 

I finally bought new glasses! I can see! Hoorah! Hooray!

I think I should have picked a complety different style of frame though.... or a colour.

>.>;  

One of the glasses has a heart on the arm of the frames. Super cute! 

~~~

At work....

I think wayyyy too much at work and I tend to daydream a lot, and play with food.

She let me take a pic of her coat. It was pretty cute! She got it at Beatnicks I believe for a nice price than retail value! It made me think of a coat a hime kaji styled person would wear! Her daughter (?) said that we were sisters because I took a pic of her, lol!

I also totally didn't get a pick of a lady that had some stylish boots, leopard print skirt, black coat and black bag with gold accents on  it! 

 ~~~~~~~

Walked through Downtown at night and these statues are spooky as hell. They are near the Art Institute and there are quite a handful of them chilling. 

~~~

Rock On!

Purin came over last weekend, and we spent some time together. It was a first time in a while as she doesn't come to the meets when I invite her. We played Rock band, and watched 3 movies together. I finally finished Interview with a Vampire which had a silly ending, Cast Away (aka the FedEx movie) and also American History X. We ate snacks, drank, and caught up a bit too. 

~~~~~~~~

GLAD NEWS : Webstore + Top 4 Pick

One of my favorite gal brands that I have been wanting to buy from since FOREVER has finally come to YesStyle and also opened up their own webstores! I have been fawning over their items for years, and now, the time has come that I, and all other Glad News lovers can shop from them without the hassle of trying to figure out shopping services, calculating shipping charges, and trying to decipher kanji if we are not fluent in Japanese!

GLAD NEWS webstore
http://gladnews.jp/webstore/index.html
GLAD NEWS on Yesstyle + FREE shipping!
http://www.yesstyle.com/en/glad-news-women/list.html/bcc.11143_bpt.299_bid.313611
GLAD NEWS official Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/GLADNEWS.OFFICIAL

 Windy City Gal Top 4 picks from GLAD NEWS:

Lace Back Studded Applique shirt

One of the motifs associated with GLAD NEWS appears again with their roomy, lace backed shirt. It looks comfy, has lace detail (a hint of sexy that I love), and has this cute little guy on the front. What's not to love? 

Show your love for Tokyo with this Tank top.

Simplistic. Black. Casual. 

You can't go wrong with a black tank top with a bold font on it. Tank tops are a staple in my wardrobe, but simplistic ones I have yet to add to it.

Long Sleeve top

Long sleeve tops with a graphic is an essential for a wardrobe fit for a gal who pursues a rocker aesthetic. It pairs up nicely with distressed jeans or even a skirt with black boots or heels.

Dyed Pattern Dress

A peek-a-boo skeleton over this tie dyed style dress gives a nod to the 60's tie dye era. This would look lovely paired up with a black denim or leather jacket to add another layer of cool. I usually wear a ton of black, but something like this would be a nice change up!

Happy Shopping!

GLAVIL SALE!

Hello Gals!

Glavil by tutuHA is having a 20% off sale on select items with free
 international shipping* for orders 25$ and over! 

http://www.yesstyle.com/en/glavil-by-tutuha/list.html/bpt.299_bid.313499

With charming accents, and simplicity in colour selection, these pieces are great to add into your wardrobe! Pick up some items to enhance a glam and devilish look for the edgy gal inside of you.

I have one Glavil item, a pair of googles.  and I really am eyeing that devil horned jacket that's up there.... Probably why it is the main focus for my graphic! lol

Happy shopping you all!

*Free standard shipping for items 25$ and over. Available to all countries and regions.
Free express shipping  with a minimum purchase of 99$ to the USA, Australia, and Region 1 countries. Minimum Purchase of 25$ when shipping to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Phillipines, and 150$ minimum when shipping to Canada, UK, and Region 2 countries.

updater

Yup. I am a perfectionist. It sucks. Trying to get things right and knowing they won't be is a HASSLE. It also stifled a lot of creative time in and around my life and I feel like I am catching up in a marathon where people are already 3 miles ahead! Mr. Turner suggested to me in so many words that I should just *do*. It is hard because I feel that I should be able to churn out stuff and like it. =___=

I am wayyy too hard on myself and trying not to be. I've been that way all my life, and it has held me back because I stop a lot of things that I want to do. I am out of college, and getting my head right for my career, and building my dreams.  I have gotten a bit better over the past few months and have been feeling a little better lately, like stones being slowly cracked off. Like I can breathe a little better, and it feels a bit like taking chains off.

I should have added an older pic of me!
haha

I have a lot of things floating in my head that I want to get on paper... But mostly, I want this snow GONE. It is still cold in Chicago. wtf!!! Its a few days from March and its going to be at 0degrees again. -_-
I just want to shop. Update a lot of things, get supplies, shoes, camera, etc. Need to look spiffy as a college grad. :p  And start up some more things.

Things seem to go by so slowly. Driving me crazy. Maybe I am just overlooking some things.



Besides all of that, Gal VIP has a ParaPara contest!

 Registration opens March 1st and is open to every Gal worldwide. 

Download the information PDF available now for more information:

 http://www.mediafire.com/?v81xvyppiogzyi1