Press Tea Bloggers in Wonderland Event

So you know I am expert of draining my youth away. You know 2 jobs, school, and full time blogger. I had a professor who once told me "Well I had 3 jobs in College, no excuse for you." Bitch, I'm a Visual Merchandiser and a Blogger, your college years ain't got shit on my life. Albeit you can imagine that I dropped that class.

Surprisingly, I do manage to have to have a social life. I mean when my manager is not blowing up my phone and I'm not working open to close in a damn mall, I do get out! Have a drink or two with a few friends, catch up and hang out once every other week. 

But believe it or not, I never managed to hang out with other bloggers. I mean, I do live in Small Town America, but I'm not far from the city and I do occasionally get invites to events (SHOCKERS!). 

Well a friend of mine is an active reader of  Lace and Combat Boots who with partnership with Press Tea, was hosting a blogger's event. 

Press Tea is a little tea shop which is like the tea version of Starbucks. Like omg their menu is amazing with so many drinks and deserts made from tea. 

I was a little hesitate about going because I'm not quite a fashion blogger (I failed at that soo long ago), I consider myself a lifestyle blogger who has a flare for fashion (like who niche blogs anymore anyway). But luckily, I had enough courage to go. 

You can see my nappy head standing in the back. I was probably the youngest and the tallest. I kind of felt awkward speaking at times because my shyness I got the better of me but I can't help but feel I met some really interesting people who had interesting stories (way more interesting than mines) 

I felt so under prepared too. I lost most of my makeup that day, my outfit was slightly ill fitted, and I decided not to wear a bra and just flaunt a bandeau (worst idea ever). 

While we mingled and talked about ranging topic such as travels, love life ans of course tea! 

We were extremely lucky to able to drink samples of their menu. My mother kinda ruined tea for me early on but I still some polite sips of the Caramel Teacuchinno. It amazed me how good it tasted. 

Our amazing barista, Allison just kept the drinks coming! 

The funny thing was when multiple bloggers shouted "Wait don't drink yet, we gotta snap pictures" 

Inception! 

And of course we ended the event with the classic shoe photo.  

Such a good event and Melanie made promises to do more events soon so that'll be cool to look forward to. 

My schedule is kinda full with Sakura Matsuri, A makeup launch event, a fashion show, and a dance show so please forgive me but my blog posts will be backlogged.

October Fashion on a Budget Coords

Like always, I'm full of plans. Working a lot and an internship. The plan now is to go to Japan in March. So with that in mind, I'm trying to save up as much money as possible. Also network with some Tokyo-based bloggers to meet up with and get their view of the city. Lose some weight too cuz I'll be taking a lot of photos. This trip in march is just a sampler to see if I truly want to study abroad in Japan. As much as everyone keeps making Japan seem like the best place in the world, you never know till you experience it yourself.

So if you are going to Japan in March, let me know. Also in a couple of days- Galoween (gyaru x halloween) in Manhattan is supposed to happen. We don't have enough people as of yet, but if you want to meet up anyway. Also let me know. Just leave a comment below or on my facebook page. We can cordinate from there.

Now Lets Talk Fashion
 September into October had a lot of fashion going on. As you know, we came out of fashion month and moved into Halloween month.  I got inspired, saw some weird, and over worked myself into exhaustion.

Every few weeks, I take some of my paycheck and spend it on fashion. It's a necessity for me. I need to look chic for the things that I do, however it has to be extremely affordable. It's hard to shop through the sale racks too. Fast Fashion items aren't meant to last. If the item is on sale; it means its from one or two seasons ago, its not faring well with sales, or "just can't give it away". So most sale items are either fugly or you just wear it once and it hides in your closet until you throw it away. So I hunt mostly for cheap stores versuses sale items. Cheap stores like conway, prices are already discounted to under $10 and with good care, the item will last longer then it's expected lifespan.

My motto is: If it's more then $12 bucks and its not designer, it's not worth the buy. Exceptions to this rule will be clothes from discount resellers like Marshalls and Burlington then I cap off at $20 (more exceptions at the end of this post). Even clothes from HM and New Yorker which are mid-price are made from cheap fabrics so why pay the price for something cheap??

My favorite outfit :)
Top: Conway ($5)
Skirt: HM (sale) ($10)
Socks: Conway
Earrings: Charlotte Russe <3 p="">Hat: (which was my favorite thing in the world until I lost it =__=) Conway

I honestly don't get any respect as a blogger because I'm always posing in my school's bathroom lol

Jacket: Forever 21 (sale price $15)
Scarf: Charlotte Russe ($5)
Skirt: Jcpenny (gifted)
Tights: Dots (idr)
Booties: Dots
Sunnies: Midtown Manhattan Street Vendor ($5)

I'm obsessed with that scarf okay

Cardigan: Conway ($7)
Burgundy Leather Leggings: Forever 21 ($10)
Scarf: Charlotte Russe ($5)

Blouse: Conway ($7)
Skirt: JCP
Tights: Dots
Boots: Dots
Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Voila same outfit, 2 ways to wear it.

Now the last one preludes into some of the things I've been doing.

Blouse: Forever 21 (sale $15)

High Waisted Shorts:  Thrifted

Tights: Social Apparel (2.99)

Jewelry: Charlotte Russe

For girls like me, who continously buy clothes no matter how big my wardrobe is. There is no reason to pay the extra price for clothes. Stay cheap, look chic.

Other exceptions to the cap-off rule:
Items that are classics (things that aren't going out of style for a long time; i.e jeans, cardigans)
Quality fabrics (you can fee the difference)
Speciality Designs (i.e spray painted t-shirts)


Hopefully these tips help you :) Good luck and Stay Chic

P.S 1 step closer to my tech dreams:

My new laptop 

Now I just need a dslr camera and I'll be happy.

The Things You Don't Know feat. My Darling Rainbow

Hello lovelies!

There aren't many blogging Queens this far west and Carisse Iris is one of those on the rise. If you haven't heard of her, SHAME ON YOU! But lucky you, I got the exclusive details on this blogger. She has unique style, impressive makeup skills, and 2 awesome blogs. Now you get to find out more about this super cute blogger. 

I skipped over the most commonly asked Questions and went straight for something different so here is "Things You May Not Know about My Darling Rainbow"

Q. Can you tell us about yourself?

A. Okay! So, my name is Carisse Iris and I run a blog and operate  under the title My Darling Rainbow. I'm coming upon 24 years od age and I don't have much to show for it but my Makeup Artistry certificate and a few wrinkles.

Q. How would you describe you style?

A. My style is something between himekaji gyaru and oneegyaru in a pastel spectrum.

Q. What made you get into blogging and what push you to keep blogging to this point?

A. I started blogging when I first got my MUA certicifate and I would post my client's makeup looks. But then, I got bored of it and just wanted to talk about myself, point blank. Eventually, I realized that people likes what I had to say and I wanted to post things not only about myself but that could help others be it tutorials, reviews, or just random life experiences... What keeps me going now is making my readers happy.

Q. What is the most worn item in my wardrobe?

A. Probably my American Apparel light blue skater skirt. It's perfect for summer.

Q. Since you are by profession, a makeup artist, how does fashion play a part in your life professionally and personally?

A. It plays a pretty big deal. As a makeup artist, you are your own billboard of your skills, and if you look good and put together, you get more clients and it helps instil confidence in your clients.. On top of it, I always like looking good when working with other people since I'll be in their face for a good hour and they'll be getting a good look at me.

Personally, It's not a big part but more something I do for fun and it makes me happy to look/dress the way I do.

Q. What inspires you the most as a makeup artist?

A.Gyaru makeup. Though, I'm never asked to do it on clients, I love doing flawless contour, blush and highlight on clients and using and amplifying their favourite features. Which is used quite often in gyaru makeup. I'd also be downsizing the fact, but obviously, my clients inspire me because once I see my canvas I get to visualize what to do to bring out and polish their natural beauty!

Q. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

A. Let's see... In 10 years I'll be 34. So, hopefully by then I'll have my business degree and maybe have my own desert cafe and it'll do well enough to support me and make others happy.

Q. What major tips would you give out to girls who are aspire in the world of makeup, fashion or blogging?

A.My major tip is to just go for it. If you don't know anything about what you want to do, don't be afraid to contact someone you look up to and ask for help or the steps they took to get where they are. I've realized that hesitation won't get you anywhere. It's better to keep trying and failing than to watch from the sidelines and trying to make a master plan. Also, networking will get you anywhere and everywhere! Never turn down a party and talk to everyone. The best thing you can learn is how to fake a smile and how to treat everyone nicely even if you might dislike them, because you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. 

I want to give a special thank you to Carisse Iris! She was super sweet and really kind enough to let me interview her for this special blog segment! If you don't follow her, go read her main blog and tumblr.

Thank you for reading and I hope you guys are keeping up with My Darling Rainbow!