What's in a Home?

Barb and Adam prints | wisdom teeth magnets | The Invasion of the Flying Saucers candle

I have a thing for lists. I make 'em for grocery items, makeup, art journals, characters. My lists know no bounds. Naturally, wishlists are the epitome of lists I can make, moreso if they include prices and pictures. My polyvore, etsy, or wanelo are preemo examples. I WANT SO MUCH STUFF. Unless I become a millionaire sometime soon, they're all pipe dreams. Guidelines? Previously, I mentioned an attempt to create a realistic wishlist of to-buy items that are (mostly) affordable. 

I've decided to break them into categories for cleanliness and simplicity and I'm alllll about price versus use. I'm totes willing to cash out more $$$ if I'mma have the item for a while. I sort of have a closet one started, what with the giveaway contest, but house and decor is where I'm startin'. "Home is where one starts from" and all that junk. I've slowly, slowly been creating and adding to my hope chest, most of which I have from my short stint living by myself. Links lead to shop pages.

 rose quartz mineral specimen | coffin bookcase/shelf | lobster claw oven mitt

My interests span about a million genres. If it's bright, kitsch (the more the merrier!), Mid Century, or macabre there's a 98% chance I'mma adore the shit out of it. If it's cute, Japanese, Prohibition era, or cinema related, I'm prolly going to like it. I'd like to think I have some taste. This giraffe faux taxidermy and poodle plate are fuckin' UGLY. Hello, vintage "girl" handheld mirrors and macaroon candles. Don't even know why I like them, but these pom pom flamingos, poodles, and bears are cute as fuck.

I don't know, there's a charm in Mid-Century--true vintage really--knickknacks interspersed with modern "quirky" items and wood. So much wood. I have a thing for textiles and mixing styles. I've yet to master the art of this and sometimes I'm afraid my home will just look tacky. Buh. I don't like theme rooms. A house's decor should have a flow, like a heartbeat. I want to go to my living room then bedroom and recognize this house belongs to the same person. But I digress. 

TLDR; I need to learn to edit and focus on what I really want instead of shit that would look cool or impulse buy, 'cause "it's only four dollars!" I think I'mma need to find a small little apartment to squirrel away in. 

Obscure Fate lamp shade | Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions | Frida Kahlo apron

EOTW

Alright! It's been a minute since I've posted some music, but I've been streaming the same songs on repeat. Whoops.  I like soundcloud, but I know their embeds can get a tad wonky; apologies if this happens. I'd like to send ya'll over to the playstore for this week's free music, which has a generally expansive genre selection every week. TBH, I didn't know this was a thing until I was looking for something (I have no idea, now...) and BAM! They had a free album of the week along with free singles. 'Cept, now they don't do the album? They have 0.99$ albums, but I prefer free stuff, so. In The Lonely Hour (5.99) and LP1 (9.99) are there too! But, y'know, Spotify usually has the albums~

Fun Stuff: YoYoMelody Giveaway!

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100% always looking for an excuse to add to my wardrobe. Lately, I've been trying to focus on staples instead of one-offs. I tend to buy items I can only wear in one coord because they don't match with anything else. :(((( That's hopefully going to change with this giveaway!

Lorina Heartly aka April Fool Romance/blog is hosting a giveaway in conjunction with YoYoMelody. I'd never heard of/visited the site before but I'm a sucker for 'cheap' fashion. NEGL, I have plans of becoming a regular customer even if I don't  win (fingers crossed). Unlike DressLink, which I've read can be poor quality, these look like they'll hold up. Granted, the prices are a little higher. I could be absolutely wrong though, so do share positive experiences! 

Original post, but here's the basics:

Here are the rules:

1. Share at least 5 products from YoyoMelody.com to your blog, Facebook, Pinterest, or other social platforms such as Tumblr and Instagram. Make sure to mention they're from YoyoMelody.com and that the giveaway is hosted on AprilFoolRomance.com.

2. Leave your ACTIVE email in a comment below along with the link to where you shared the items.

Make sure your posts are public so your entry counts!!

What's the prize?

$50 to shop on YoyoMelody!!

AND ALL participants will receive a $5 coupon, which will shave off shipping ;D

This giveaway will end December 6th 12AM EST.

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Monster Life: Cyclops

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Cy·clops

ˈsīˌkläps/

a member of a race of savage one-eyed giants.

they all look so friendly! 5 | 6 | 7 | 8   
  

Film: The Babadook

If it's in a word. Or it's in a look. You can't get rid of...the Babadook.

Director: Jennifer Kent
Writer: Jennifer Kent
Cast: Essie Davis, Daniel Henshall, Tim Purcell

The Babadook ☆☆☆☆.5 

Via IMDB: A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.

Going into this film, I thought it was another Mama. Del Toro's film isn't bad per-se, but there wasn't a scare factor. At all--very similar to Don't Be Afraid of the Dark. Both of those were geared toward children and thus frightening them and not their adult audience. Thankfully, Babadook attunes to adults and children alike. I will point out, though, there is a masturbation scene, so you know, decide if the kid(s) should watch or not.

Amelia is a single mom working at a retirement facility and with a son, Samuel, who's the devil. This is not a "Hail Satan!" moment (I mean, I guess if one wanted...). A fat portion follows Amelia attempting to wrangle Samuel in: off the top of a swing set, screaming in the car, shooting a fellow student with a dart, and pushing his cousin out a tree house. Did I mention he's only six?  

Samuel has a fear of a monster living in his room (in the wardrobe, under the bed, doesn't matter to Samuel). And so, Amelia doesn't get much sleep, especially after Samuel finds Mister Babadook on his bookshelf. She asks, "Where did you get this?" in which he responds, "I found it on the shelf." If that wasn't enough for a mother, who didn't buy the damn book, the actual book's narrative should. This moment is, perhaps, my favorite of the film. 

 
 
 

do-not-sit-next-to-dennis

After more devil-child shenanigans, the book continues to appear after multiple destroying attempts. We are then left with the idea of whether the Babadook actually exists or it is Amelia in her sleep deprived hysteria? Are we going to have a Hide and Seek ending? Is she going to stab Samuel to death? That's the beauty of this film.

Via monkeysaysficus: If you’re a gore hound, or you like your horror movies fast and furious, this movie is not for you. If, however, you are a fan of slow-burning, shivers under your skin, gonna think about it over the next few days, horror movies, then this is your Next Big Thing.

Earworm of the Week

Lookbook: Hello Stranger

 

  

 

Unif | Hello Stranger | Fall 2014

Earworm of the Week

     Life on Mars       Gravity Falls Remix

 

     From Eden       Pills and Potions

 

Coffin Nails

Black outline | coffin cross | maroon | alien

Occasionally, I'll log into Buzznet to check out their fashion articles. There are only so many Pins and Tumblr posts I can take, of the same exact re-blog over and over without adding any new contact. Somehow, maybe my Tumblr-fu isn't that great?, Buzznet has a tendency to bring attention to "new content". Over at Sammii Ryan's, I saw a gallery of coffin nails. 

Apparently it's a Jenner sister's trend? I don't actively follow the Jenner family and their fashion aspirations (I don't-not follow them?) but in my Googling of these nails, they've been 'round for a while--at least from this year. Trickle down and all that, I suppose. 

I'd totes like to attempt to wear these beauties. I've got such a lady boner for pretty nails--that is, decorated in some fashion--especially Vivi's over at Black Saliva. My coordination nor lifestyle (retail, though lots and lots of freight during the week. (▰˘︹˘▰) ) allow for lengths of that magnitude. Usually, if it's acrylic, something like this or a plain, bright color. I'll even break out the DIY if I've got a couple hours and I'm feeling adventurous. 

BUTTT, there's sort of a catch? I don't ever pay to get 'em done. Partly because there aren't many quality nail places around and really, I don't want them to snap or crack after a few days or within a week. If I didn't have to rip boxes and bags open (yay soft lines and cosmetics) I'm confident there would be no problem. /Sigh. Unfortunately, I'll prolly hoard a board over on Pinterest, moon, and wax poetic about 'em. 

Black nude | sugar skull | coffin pattern | moon

Faves: Hallowe'en films

Halloween III: Season of the Witch ▲ Hocus Pocus ▲ The Island of Dr. Moreau ▲ Practical Magic ▲ Rosemary's Baby ▲ The Sixth Sense.

Review : Shop Miss A

Miss A // Review!
Miss A is an online accessory and beauty retailer with everything $1 and a flat rate shipping. Yeah-yuh. Obviously, the quality isn't expected to be too hot, considering, again, $1 items. As I am one for cheap stuff, I went ahead and put an order in. In total (l-r), I bought: makeup bag, eye necklace, bow dust plug, zit zapper, lengthening & volumizing mascara, lip stain, under eye concealer, all over stick, and undies.
Shipping: 14-18 days. Their homepage does say processing will take up to a week+, so standard shipping. As the image suggests, everything was wrapped in tissue paper, bubble wrapped, and wrapped into a larger bag. Unless clothing specific items, I hate when orders are shipped outside a box, considering the postal service's propensity to rough handle packages--I didn't want anything to break.

Colored Mesh Cosmetic Pouch | ☆☆☆.5

This bag is a nice, thick, tight mesh! Refreshing, 'cause I assumed the mesh would be easily rip-able and I'd get minimal use. :((( The color is bright, a mirror (albeit tiny) is included, and the overall size isn't terrible. BUT, the zipper is hella weak. There's no zip-quick-n-go that higher quality makeup bags give and the zipper sticks on the end. I'm expecting to get well over a month's wear.

Dainty Colored Evil Eye Necklace | ☆☆☆☆
I'm actually impressed with this lil' thing. The O-ring attached to the eye is sturdy as is the chain--super thin, though! Be careful removing from the packaging, because I know people have a tendency to just rip, but that will break the chain. I am not, however, worried the chain will break while wearing. I know how it is, buyin' dollar jewelry off Ebay, only to have the damn thing break straight off. RIP cute accessories! The actual eye doesn't look sloppy either.

Solid Bow Cell Phone Dust Plug | ???
Um. I absolutely underestimated the size of this dust plug, even though that's an Iphone pictured (I have an S3, so...). Now, the plastic is legit and it fit, but I have an Otterbox. In my excitement, I forgot to factor that in. I'm sure, once I get a different case, the plug will fit, but for now, it's too big with this specific case. /sigh.

e.l.f. Essential Zit Zapper | ☆☆☆☆
I've  been wearing this for approximately one hour. Four stars? Really??? I have my reasons. This thing smells like bug spray (disconcerting), feels like Aloe, and doesn't burn. The importance of this last part is important--I have sensitive skin which makes or breaks a product. Some reviews suggest this will leave reddened skin, but so far so good. The back of the package states, "unique blend of Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree, Witch Hazel, and Camphor". You rub it on, like rolly-lipgloss and let it do it's thing. From what I've witnessed, the redness goes down and skin feels soft. It seems like a go-to for when a zit/blemish/etc. is about to show up or is in those early stages.

Girls Talk Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara | ☆☆☆☆☆ !
Smells great. A lot of makeup has that gross smell. We all know what I'm talking about. There's nothing specific about this one though, but it's a healthy scent. The packaging is cute, I like the colors. There aren't ingredients though--not cool. Even if I don't know what all ingredients do, I can compare/figure out what higher quality (and let's be honest, safe) mascara has. Both do their job and my eyelashes look delightful. I double 'em up (both mascara in one sitting) and lashes can get a bit wet, so watch out for that. The applicator isn't long; I had to do two swipes to get all my lashes. I like a lot o'room to apply, what can I say?

Muuaaah! Lip Stain | ☆
Don't bother? It's wrapped (I like to know no one used it before sending it on its way). That's all for positive. The pigment is off, the applicator is like a literal marker, the color isn't consistent. I had high hopes. :'( Lip stains are easier for me to wear, since they don't smear or fade over the day, but this is a mess. I've had two applications to get a solidish foundation and I still have color lines. I have dollar lipstick with better results.

Morning Confession Eye Roll On Concealer | ☆☆☆.75
Shake that shit. Go on for about 30 seconds before attempting use. Even then, applying is a little spotty. It does a decent job, even better when combined with the all over stick. I have crazy raccoon eyes all day every day and this actually brightens 'em up. No burning as well! I've bought dollar eye bag control and burnt the fuck outta my underlids. So you know, good job Miss A. There's no packaging and ingredients are on the back. As for smell, a baby powder/lotion. I'm having a love-hate relationship with Kleancolor. Merp.

e.l.f. Essential All Over Color Stick | ☆☆☆.5
I can't tell if the color is too light. I'm not good with the whole concealer/bronzer situation, but it blended well over my eyes. Not so much for the blemish on my cheek. I do have the same kind in light beige which is a better over-all. Props to smell (citrus), application ease, compatibility with other products. The stick does have a bit of a shimmer (I'm getting too old for face shimmer) and doesn't soak well into the skin--after hours of wear, it still comes off on my hand, but that could be an error in application on my end?

Contrast Color Back Keyhole Panty | ☆☆☆☆.5
Cutie patootie! The keyhole isn't as big as the image suggests. Most of the seams are finished perfectly, except for a few stragglers with longer strings. The tag reads 95% Cotton, 5% Spandex, where the website lists COTTON/SPANDEX/POLYESTER. Here's the truth: The piping is spandex, the body a cotton and polyester blend. The production is far better than RUE21 and much more than what I was expecting. I'm not saying it's super elite, but still comfortable and cute. A word of warning: there is a tag attached around the bow. Rip or cut the entire bit off if ya'll don't like the bow, but it's awkward for those of us who want to keep it (actually, I can't decide if I want to cut it off).

Overall: Acceptable quality for cheap prices. The site images make it hard to tell how a product will come out and there's never a guarantee. I will be a returning customer, but I suggest, for first timers, search out reviews and if you notice a pattern with certain brands Miss A carries, avoid 'em.