Sushi Carnival

On Saturday I met up with some friends for the day! I was a little stressed in the morning and ended up changing my outfit at the last second. I got the bus instead of walking, which got stuck in traffic. I was just in time for the second bus, but it was the one 20 minutes after the one I'd aimed for! Would have quicker to walk, but then I'd have missed seeing a sort-of cute guy on the second bus. He kinda looked like a less skinny Frank Turner.


I had intended to not spend much money and was going to skip lunch, but we ended up going to Yo Sushi and I loooooove sushi. So I ended up spending £7.50 on food there Dx


All of us there! I had green tea, cucumber maki, tamago nigiri, and vegetable yakisoba. All my favourites! Except the green tea, which tasted like bathwater...

Then we went for a wander around the shops! I went a bit mad in New Look and ended up spending money...major shopping ban fail! I'll make a separate post for the things I bought though. I took a rubbish outfit shot in Urban Outfitters (after trying on some Vivienne Westwood shoes that weren't wide enough for my feet *sobs*).



We ended up in the Teahouse Emporium again. For some reason I decided to have lavender tea even though I don't like lavender, but it just sounded nice! I'm an idiot. The first cup was okay, but it ended up tasting mintier and mintier, and I hate mint. I'll actually read about the teas properly next time!



All the girlies!

We must have gone in quite late as they were trying to kick us out when we'd barely finished. I have no idea how it was so packed when we went in but then emptied without us really noticing! Somehow there was another semi-attractive guy working there, although he called me 'madam' which I didn't take kindly to. (If you're wondering why I'm documenting guys spotted, it's because I NEVER EVER EVER see any good looking guys hahaha. They are a rare breed).

It was odd when everyone left because even though I was reaaaally tired it didn't seem like we spent that much time together! And we didn't even go to the pub!!

I had to rush back to get changed, and since the bus went straight past me when I was waiting to cross the road I had to outrun it to the next stop *again* How I keep making it, I do not know. I'm a frilly sprinting machine. I went to a wedding party with Rob in the evening, but it was really boring as I didn't know anyone and they played crap music. I was wearing really high heels though so I was actually as tall as everyone for once (although my ankles are still paying the price!). But had a really yummy takeaway afterwards =D

How are my Saturdays always so busy? I remember when I used to just sleep all day on Saturdays!

Window Shopping!

Today I had to go out to buy groceries anyway and the weather was actually okay (between bursts of rain), so I thought I'd wander around town to make up for staying in for days. I'd gone with the intention of buying a pony or Monster High doll, but there weren't any in either of the shops that sell them TAT

Instead, I thought I'd try on lots of clothes! Which was a pretty silly idea because I'm on a shopping ban and I've actually been keeping to it this time. But it's fun to try on things that you normally wouldn't consider.

I tried on a few things from the kid's section in H&M.


This skirt was so cute and only £6, but it looks lumpy and odd on. I think I might buy it if I get to go on holiday this summer though! I haven't added worn photos of the shorts as they gave bad muffin tops, which is annoying as I really need some black ones. They are the same as my pink ones so I *could* stretch them out, but they'd still be too muffin-y and I have lots of cropped and tight-fitting tops for Summer, so not ideal. I think I'll try the adult black shorts next time, as although the material was rough and not nice they were only £8 and they should fit better.

The other store I went into (twice, actually) was New Look.


They're my favourite by far at the moment with all their adorable pastels and stripes!


I love this top from the children's section, so Summery and a cute colour! I felt like my belly was too podgy for it though.




This dress is amaaaaazing! The lady in the changing rooms pounced on it when I was handing it to her, she wanted to know why I wasn't buying it xP I do love it, but it's £28 and I'm not sure it looks right on me due to my height. But if it's ever in the sale I'll have to snap it up. It looks more odd in the photos than in real life because of the camera angle.


Pastel dip-dye *drools* This cardigan reminds me of watermelons! At £22 it was too expensive though as the material was thin and not very soft. But another to wait for in the sale, definitely.


I never thought I'd be able to get away with wearing a skirt like this as it's quite long, but I was pleasantly surprised! The only thing stopping me from buying it is the fact that it isn't lined, which makes it quite see-through due to the floaty and light material. So I'd have to buy a slip on top of the £22 for the skirt. But once again, if it's in the sale...


Last two items I tried together! The skirt fits terribly as it's too small on my hips and too long, but I think I prefer the striped shorts anyway (which I would have bought before but shopping ban and I own so many pairs of shorts). The top though...it's not my usual thing at all as it barely covers anything, but I thought it looked cool. It was also cheap enough for me to allow myself to buy it (£13). I'm not 100% sure about keeping it as I don't know what I could wear it with and I know I'll get honked at and abuse shouted at me when wearing it, but ♥


So my window shopping was a bit of a fail, but it could have been worse! I spent almost as much in Sainsbury's on boring things like margarine and toilet roll afterwards haha.

Wardrobe Spotlight: Swan Lake

I'm sure we all have that one piece that stood out to us when we were first discovering lolita. I had been aware of lolita for some time, but had only seen old-school sweet which, while cute, didn't really capture my attention (or rather, my wallet) too much.

But then, in 2008, there was Metamorphose's Swan Lake.



The first print I ever saw, and I fell in love with it! I love the high-waist skirt in black the most, but after searching for a long time I never found any in black. Well, that isn't true - I found a black JSK on an auction site, but my bids were blocked by the seller as they didn't want it to go to a foreigner! But then I found this one, the pink OP, for 4000yen. Even though I don't very much like OPs and the collar and sleeves are missing, I couldn't miss out on an opportunity to own my first dream print!


So here it is! There's a slight built-in petti, and lace-less shirring on the back. The tulle accents give it a princessy feel!


All of the bows are detachable. I prefer it with them on, but the pintucks mean there is still enough detail to get away with taking them off. The fabric seems a little worn (probably just from age) but it's soft and the print is bold. The waist-ties are detachable and held on by two fabric-covered buttons. A waist-tie is long enough for me to use as a belt, which is handy for my salopettes as they need drawing in and I don't own a real belt in any colour other than black.


Ribbon accents on the sleeves! It doesn't seem like they actually hold the sleeves tight though which is a shame, as it means I can't loosen them! Since I don't have the full sleeves I might remove all the buttons since they dig into my arm, but I think I might have to cut the elastic too as the sleeves are so tight that I'm in pain when I wear the dress at the moment! Which is odd as I thought Metamorphose was good for the slightly plus-sized lolitas...and I'm not plus-sized.


Those swans! There should be more bird prints in lolita.


And of course the headbow which came with it. I love the pearls <3

I hope I can figure out a good coord with it soon...I have reservations because I'm so used to wearing JSKs. And let's face it, it is a really tacky dress!

So that's it for another wardrobe spotlight! Let me know if there are any pieces you'd like me to feature =]

Stress!

Today was even more stressful than I thought it would be!

Today was the first day we were able to choose our final year options. However, they didn't bother telling us what time the webpage would go up. I checked at midnight, and then got up at 7.45ish to keep checking. The link to the page kept appearing and disappearing, it was so frustrating and my heart-rate would go crazy every time and make me feel sick! The page didn't go up until 3pm in the end, so I was refreshing a page for seven hours. SEVEN. HOURS. Ridiculous. And we won't know if we got our choices until after the registration ends in May Dx


Here are the options I went for in the end. I spent hours yesterday trying to decide on the first semester ones as none of the modules stood out to me, so I just went for a variety of things I thought would be interesting! The worries come about the second semester ones though, as there are only 18 places on Cyberpsychology which is the module I want to do most. That's 18 places between around 200 people. Even though I submitted my options about 2 minutes after the page went up, it's still such a slim chance because everyone who wanted that module did the same! Hoping I got Clinical too, as pretty much everyone wants to take that. Hopefully the course is big enough that they have a place for me!

Dreading next year even if I do get the modules I want. Will be so much hard work, and most of the modules have essays and oral presentations instead of exams. I feel like the one person who'd rather have exams =|

In better news, since I was up so early I was able to snag some Frank Turner tickets as soon as the priority page went up! I'm going to the show in Bath, although if my friends decide to go to the Brighton show too I might see if I can tag along =P

Phew! I'm pretty exhausted now. I finally get to have my shower now, and then I might have a nap ^_^'

Magic & Modules

FINALLY, Pottermore is open to everyone! I already sped through The Philosopher's Stone yesterday ^_^' My username is WingRiver6774 if anyone wants to add me. I'm a Ravenclaw, not that it will come as a surprise.


In more Muggle-y news, I have to pick my options for my final year on Wednesday. Although registration is open for two weeks, places are on a first come first served basis (one module has only 18 places), so I want to get them done as soon as registration opens if possible. Which may mean sitting on my laptop refreshing SAMIS all night!

But I don't know which ones to do! I have an idea for second semester (though I still need to look back over and consider it all), but no clue at all for semester one. Which means I'll have to spend all tomorrow (after my meeting) Googling all the topics, trying to figure out what everything is and what appeals to me most. I don't really have a clue what interests me though! And topics such as psychoanalysis are really interesting, but not really relevant and I did terribly in my essay about Freud last year Dx And I wish I could continue with Neuroscience, but it's just too difficult and they didn't give us enough help. I find it interesting and it makes me feel brainy, but too much work and waaaaay too much risk, especially when you consider that I need at least a 2:1 and my current grade is only just that.

I think I'll have to try to see what will be most relevant to my dissertation topic. Boo. My poor dissertation! I am behind on ethics as I was unable to do any work last week due to being at home and thus being lazy, and now I'm just panicking about options. I think I'll have to go up to campus afterall, as here I just keep procrastinating!

I'll be so stressed out on Wednesday morning though, worrying that I picked the wrong things or that I'll miss out on my Cyberpsychology and Clinical Psychology places, and also I'll be buying tickets to Frank Turner's gig in Bath that morning too. Eeek!

Procrastination for Creation

I've always loved drawing, but it isn't something I have much time to do anymore. Since everything at work has gone pear-shaped I have had no motivation to work, so I put more effort into art!

I often make cards for people instead of buying them, because birthday cards are just so boring! You will have seen this in the last post, the card I made for Sophie based on one of her favourite lolita prints - Stained Glass Angel. I thought I'd post some of my progress shots, since I haven't blogged much (and now I am spamming you. Mwahahahaha!).


This was my reference photo, taken by Sophie herself. As you can see, I had to improvise and simplify a little!


Here's the line-art. I did in pencil first, starting with the overall outlines and working down to the detail, going over each part in pen and erasing the pencil as I went to avoid smudging. It's not perfect, but then I'm not that great at art ^_^'


Supplies! I had to the painting at home as I needed the table (usually I just sit on bed and lean against a book). I was really worried about using watercolours as they're my least favourite paint, but my acrylics seem to have disappeared and watercolour is more fitting for the print anyway. I had to be brave!



The risk paid off! I'm pleased with the result, and am now really looking forward to my next project!

Sadly it will have to wait until I've planned and gained ethical approval for my study, but once I'm gathering data I know what I'd like to do next! I'll probably keep you updated ;]

Oh, and I used bigger images in this post as I felt they were kind of needed...but I don't like them. They mess up my layout!

A Pot of Tea

Yesterday all of my frilly friends went out to celebrate Sophie's birthday! Obviously I couldn't be there because I was in London Dx it looks like they all had so much fun though!



Since I didn't have much time to get ready, I plumped for an old-school coordinate. This was the first brand dress I ever bought, but this was my first time wearing it as it's impossible for me to zip up by myself! I managed to get it dirty though when I was re-threading the ribbon through my shoe...DOH!


Close-up of the nail detail, I did them for the gig but made sure to use colours that would compliment my outfit.

I met them all this afternoon after I got back. We went to the Teahouse Emporium, and for once I actually ordered a pot of tea instead of a cold drink. I had rose tea and it was delicious ♥


I also gave Sophie her birthday presents. I'm so glad she liked them, and the card I made (it took me a long time to do, but I am so chuffed at how it turned out!). It was based on the Stained Glass Angel print.

We then wandered around town for a while, but then everyone had to go =[ I was so glad to see everyone though!



I was soooo tired when I got back, but was greeted with this mess to tidy up!


Afterwards I was too sleepy to do any work. I still can't get Instagram to send all my photos, so I think tomorrow I will go to campus to use the Wifi. I mean, to do some work. Yes ¬_¬