Fly...

 Two outfits for Christmas. Most stuffs were from my favorite thrift shop. 

Bag and Dress: Thrifted
Shoes and socks: Payless

Shadow: E.L.F.
Liner: Etude House Aloha I'm Jumbo Pen Liner
Mascara: Estee Lauder

Top: Thrifted
High Waist Shorts: Local Market
Shoes:  Abaeté  Wyatt Gladiator Sandals

>_<

Thanks for viewing!~  Expect more post to come! ♥

What I'd like to do

Two more days and it's Christmas. Then, a few more days before the year would end. I don't know what to say or what to wish for. As of this moment, what I want to do is to reflect. 

2011 may not be as good as the passed years of my life but like I always say, I cannot thank the universe or God for giving me only the BEST things. I want to appreciate those few shaky moments of my life. Those few moments when I felt down and I thought then was not going to end. Those times that I thought that I would not surpassed. I am saying FEW because I refuse to label things or events as BAD or GOOD. All of them happened for a reason. They are the results of my actions. Though, there are things or events that I think that are out of and beyond my control. 

Yes, I am grateful for every bit of these things in my life. When bad things happen, I learn. When good things happen, I feel happy. There's really nothing to frown about, right? Right. :D 

As for Lolita, I might not be as active like I used to be. I will still make some nice clothes but I wouldn't be wearing them as often as I did this year. I need to revamp my closet. Hmmm... It sounds like I have to sell some stuffs to make room for new ones. What's with the sudden change of mind? Oh, well... You may want to read again my last entry. This could be temporary or maybe not. I don't know and I am not sure yet. Growing old? You can always say that, the hell I care. ^_^ HAHAHAHA 

As for this blog, of course things will stay as it is. I will still share things that I feel like sharing, Lolita or Non-Lolita. But I guess I would focus more on crafting (I hope) ^_^ and more on the real stuffs that I do. I just hope that you would still be there to read me. ♥

OH~ By the way, I want to share this here...
The ordinary me.
Taken after one of my son's performances on stage with his group. Such a proud mom I am. ^_^

Sorry, I have to cover my face. *hurp*derp*

OUTFIT:

All of them were thrifted except for the tights. xDDD

Just some lucky find... :D

Perhaps, ^THIS will be something that I want to do more often on this blog. Oh, please bear with me for I might not be as good when it comes to this. I love, love, love thrift shopping! It's like treasure hunting and it is very exciting!~  Maybe on my posts to come, I will share more nice stuffs that I got from the thrift stores. I still got a load of things that I need to write about. All I need is more time. :D 

I guess, that would be all for now. I've got to get a power nap. Tomorrow, the preparation for the Christmas feast will start. I'll see you around!~  ♥

The BOX

OHAI! xD

It was raining hard and I can't go out, can't sew, can't even use the PC...

So I decided to take out my box. It's been a long time since I last touched this thing. 

TADAAA! (^w^)

This is where I keep my knitting and crocheting stuffs. Oooh! I didn't realized that I missed them until that familiar smell emerged when I took off the lid... Smells like new fabric!~

Untouched knitting needles

 These were gifts from my generous mom. I haven't had the time to use them since I started sewing... :(

I wish I got a lot of time in my hands.

some yarns

and more...

and some more over here... xDDD

~♥~

I am currently working on this yarn in my rectangular knitting loom. I want to make a scarf out of this fab yarn. :)

Thrift store find ^^

some more unfinished project... 

I really wish I could go back to my crafts again... I missed those times when I still have time for everything. The more the kids grow, the more I am occupied. 

Old project of mine ♥

The last photo was taken some years ago. It was a project that I finished in just a few hours. *sighhh~ 

I'll try to dig up the pattern of this one and I'll re-make this bag. 

I'll see you around! ♥

Thrift finds

Soooo... I'm back again! 

Pardon me for I have to fulfill all my duties as a mom before I could really find a time like this. I have so much task to in my hand that made me choose to update this blog my least priority. I do hope you would understand that aside from making dresses and poofy petticoats and accessories, I also have to maintain the house and the kids. But that doesn't mean that I am not into Lolita anymore. I still am and will be for like, uhm, always? ^___^ 

Anyway, right now I just want to share with you my latest thrift finds from the thrift store nearby. I wish I could take photos of the place like most bloggers do but I don't think the owner would be pleased with the idea. It is a BIG place filled with really nice clothes, shoes and bags, mostly second hand but not really all. Like yesterday, I was able to find a new with tag Liz Lisa top from them. See? I am really lucky! 

Another lucky find is this:

An Anna Sui sandals! ♥

my size!~

not new but really good as new!~

This one, I forgot to share, is from one of my shopping trips in the city a few months ago. It fits my youngest daughter perfectly and is really making me cry because I can't pull off sweet pink dresses! T___T

a bit crumpled but still a pretty find...

I just feel very lucky!~ My friends would often ask how was I able to find these kinds of nice pieces and ask me for advice. But I don't really know what to tell them. I gave them a few hints but it's pure luck, I guess. And tons of patience! Maybe on my next posts, I might be able to share a few good tips for thrift shopping. 

See you in a few and thanks for reading!~ ♥

Impulsive Me

My lack of posts these past few weeks (or months?), I can say, should be blamed on my frequent mood swings. And since I wanted sooo much to avoid posting too many negative things on this blog, I chose to stay quiet for quite some time. I'm just glad I did because I was able to spend more time learning new things, spending quality time with my family and good friends, shopping (big smile!), sewing and more sewing. The only downside of this - my pocket is always drained!~ xD 

Shopping has drained me the most! Whenever and wherever I can, I buy small things as a souvenir. It could be old or new. BUT, I try my best not exceed my limit. Of course, it would be inconsiderate of me if I would spend more than I could afford or earn. It's just that sometimes, my fascination for tiny things lead me to impulse buying. I always have this "thing" for tiny tea sets, notebooks or journals, brown papers, anything made of porcelain or ceramic, wood, wicker, cutesy sticky notes and fabric. Good thing, I find them reasonably priced and I still manage not to overspend. :)

Now, I'm beginning to think hard if I just like collecting these things or am I just hoarding??? Oh well! 

Some notebooks... Super love the big one!

Here's how it looks inside. The pages! Oh, the pages!  :)

Others... :) love the black one!

Dress form accessory holder, a tiny shelf(?), small boxes...

all these came from Papemelroti!~ xD

Wind chime - still kept hidden in my box... Also from Papemelroti~

Stickiees!~ ♥

Tea sets from my favorite thrift shops. 

Tiny ceramic watering can *nyuuuu!~

Ceramic eggs and wicker glass holder

These are just some of the stuffs that I have been hiding in my box of silly treasures. Sometimes, the question "What are you gonna do with them?" really annoys me. Because I, myself don't really know! I am saving them because hubby and I are planning the construction of new room and he promised to give me my own corner for my crafts and my trinkets. Yay!~ =^_^= Can't wait! 

I swear, as soon as that room is done, I'll decorate it and take lots of pictures and share all of them here! Too bad, it'll take a loooooong time... We shall see...

Ciao! ♥

NOTE: Papemelroti website here. Lots and lots of nice, vintage-y, Eco-friendly stuffs! That's why I like them soo much! ♥

Me saves, saves me!

In a lot of blogs that I've visited, read and followed, there was one common topic most of them have discussed: Saving!

Most of these blogs tackled money saving tips for every Lolita and I find them all helpful and agreeable. 

Now, the spotlight is on me.

How do I manage to save? Yeah, I have kids. Yes, Lolita lifestyle is expensive. Yeah, all these and that! Now what?

Before I started going into this very expensive hobby, I studied and read a lot about how to go into it without hurting my pocket. And lucky me, I found two ways of coping up. Thrift shopping and learning how to sew. Shopping is a lot easier than the latter one. But because I thought of my two daughters, I managed to learn how to sew. Then I got so hooked on it that I can't resist the urge to pick up a thread and start working. It's soo addictive! I imagined the things I can do with sewing and how my family could benefit from it. Each and every time that I work on something, I feel the tickle in my heart and that was one joyous feeling I could not exchange for anything. Naaah! Sounds cheesy? Oh, well! Perhaps only dressmakers like me can decipher the meaning of my words. If you're not, don't even try. Your nose might bleed. :))

Back to saving topic, mixing and matching outfits is also one good way to create a new look out of old, ordinary clothes. Putting on some accessories could also add up to get a new look. To be able to save on accessories, you may also want to try making your own. You don't need to buy tons of stuffs to make one. You can actually make one from your old axxes and some scrap materials that you might have in your closet for a long while. Using old materials makes the look more classic and sometimes elegant. If you can crochet or knit, try looking for easy patterns that you think you can make and that you can coordinate with your dress. Like a flower brooch or a choker. I used to do that, too. :))

Truly, there are countless ways of saving up. Everything depends on how you handle it. Lolita is not all about how much money you spend on your dress, even though it's a very expensive hobby. Creativity is the key. I would prefer to add a personal touch on each dress that I wear. And through this I am able to express my love for arts and crafts and of course, Lolita.
♥ ♥ ♥
Tell me your story! :)

Found!

One of the best thrift find of my life! ♥

Brand: Lolita in Touch

 I wore it during Jaja's Atelier opening. And almost everyone's jaw dropped! :) 

The event was really successful and I am very happy for my friend, Jaja. She's finally being able to achieve her dreams and reap her rewards. I believe that she deserves whatever she has right now. She's not only talented but a very awesome person inside and out. 

Btw, this is how her Atelier looks like...

That red dress is calling out my name! :)

It's all covered in pink and it's cuuute! :)

If you have queries, you can visit her Tumblr blog here and her Facebook account here. She accepts overseas orders and custom made Lolita dresses and such. 

♥ ♥ ♥

just awesome... :)

Busy as a bee

Yes, at this point, I'm like a bee! I love-hate it, though!

Look at my space!

Such a mess!

I hate looking at this photo! But somehow, this reminds me that I have to work, work and work! So I can afford that dream room makeover that I've been wanting for a long while... That is also the reason why I'm being stressed lately. I can't work the way I want and I have deadlines that makes me cram. :( I really don't know where to start! Aaargh!

Good thing, hubby took me out this afternoon to the thrift shop. Maybe he thought that it would help ease out the pressure. Aaaaw, sweet! :)) And look what I got!

<333

These are just great finds! OMG! Super low priced stuffs are lurrrrve! Makes me happy!

So, I guess I have to go back to work now... Finish this one:

head dress! :)

Tomorrow, I shall meet my Loli friends because we'll go Lace Hunting! :) ~Yay!~

I hope there's a thrift store along the way... ^_^ Do you like thrift shopping, too?

stitchin' luvin'

Since I started taking up sewing classes, I have dreamed of getting myself a sewing machine. It could help me finish my project while at home and of course, improve my craft. :) And as a Lolita, I think it will help a lot too, if I know how to sew. :)) Dresses are really pricey. And I just can't afford them. 

And now, TA-DAAA!!! :))

it's a Brother Select 570. old, eh?

well lit! :))

no more time consuming threading!

I got this from a second hand store somewhere in Manila. Wooooah!!! They really have a lot to choose from! Unfortunately, my wallet can only afford this kind. It is in good working condition. I think its a good buy! When I was surfing for sewing machines, Brother caught my eyes. Its features are just right for me. Maybe someday I'd be able to buy their Touch Screen sewing machine! Oooooh! It's love at first sight!!! ^_^

Now, what I need is more time! 

~see yah!~