A Year Almost Over

Hello all,

It's around this time of year that I always feel so far behind. I feel like there were a million things I wanted to do and never got the chance; all these hobbies and projects and just general stuff that never was or half-was but never became complete.

But first, let's talk about what I did accomplish:

1. I graduated from Uni!
2. I got my first big girl job
3. I moved to a completely new state
4. I got another bunny
5. I read 26 books (my goal was 20; admittedly I may finish another, but that would be a stretch)
6. I went to an awesome Star Trek Convention, where I met both LeVar Burton and Kate Mulgrew

So that's pretty good, right?

But I am a bit disappointed in myself. I semi-gave up on beauty/skincare/fashion blogging, I didn't read nearly as much as I would have liked, and didn't finish even close to all the video games I wanted. I didn't exercise enough. Typical stuff like that.

I won't say that'll change this coming year, but I am going to try to do what I want, and to be happy with what I do do.

That's all folks! Until next time.

Kaleidoscope Dating Sim: A Review

So I have a confession guys:

I have a soft spot for dating sims.

I know, it's silly, and I'm probably waaaaay too old for them, but they're easy and kinda cute. I started with apps for my phone, and those are frustrating as all hell since you can only do so much at one time and I want to know the ending NOW.

So I kind of got back in to them with Jurassic Heart (I'll post some pictures and my thoughts on that tomorrow) which is silly and extremely quick.

But then I needed more. I also didn't want to pay because I'm waiting to spend my hard-earned cash on Hatoful Boyfriend since it's on Steam. So I googled around and I found this one: Kaleidoscope Dating Sim (1). I had no idea wtf I was doing.

Basically you have 30 "sleep cycles" (days) to meet someone and to find your dream soul mate so you can leave.

All you do, as I found, is click on things. Repeatedly. Over and over. It was also really annoying that when you responded to your chosen victim (mine was Angel, pictured below) they say things like "nice" or "hmmm" after to tell you how you did, but DON'T ACTUALLY FUCKING RESPOND TO YOUR REPLY. Jeebus. It was really annoying. Also if you say the wrong thing you have to use precious hp to choose the correct answer instead of simply moving on, as what would happen irl.

Angel, who is wearing lingerie in a pond for some reason??

I think it was a cute idea, but it got old after awhile. Here's a guide and here's a link to the creator's DA account.

Overall I'd give it a 6/10. The graphics were nice and it was a good idea, but not so great in practice.

Cheers!

NaMoWriMo, Away!

Good morning everyone.

Well, it's morning to me. Late morning. Before I go to work. Well, whatever.

Anyway, this year I decided to take the plunge and write a book in one month. The more I think about it, the more crazy it sounds to me. I work so much, have all these other things I would like to do (like knitting a birthday present for my boyfriend). But all my life I've been writing, but I've never finished a damn thing. It is high time to change all that.

It's a science fiction novel, and it isn't one of the ideas I've had bouncing around in my mind for ages. I've always thought about going back and fleshing out those old tales, but will something really be good that I started at 15? No, probably not.

Anyway, I'm not sure where this will take me. I might never actually publish it. But I want to finish something, and that is very important to me.

I really officially began writing today, and so far I've put in 2,261 words. Not even remotely close to 50,000, eh? But it's a start. I don't care if it's good, I don't care if anyone likes it. I want to finish something.

Anyway, here's a link to my page. I may post some snippets here, I haven't decided yet.

Cheers!

Big Changes Ahead

Hello all!

For those of you who don't know (which is probably everyone), I have left my hometown of Minneapolis to live in Champaign, IL. It is a huge change. I never thought I would leave home. But times change. I had the opportunity to start my career right out of college in a job I love. To live with my boyfriend. To have a nice place to live, spacious and welcoming for myself and my bunnies. It wasn't easy, but sometimes we need to make choices for ourselves, even if it wasn't part of our plan. It cost me my hometown, and my hair (which I won't go in to detail about, but my hair is now much much shorter and a lot less red).

I'll still visit home once a month, which is nice. And I am still me. I didn't sacrifice who I am at my core.

So what does this mean for this blog? Obviously I've been quite busy. Even though I don't live in Minneapolis anymore, I think I will keep this name. I can't promise steady posting - in the past three weeks I have worked six days a week and 12-13 hour days.

I think instead of focusing on only makeup and skincare I'll focus on whatever I damn well please. Cooking, baking... Gardening, book reviews. Whatever I want.

You can keep visiting or you can stop, whatever you'd like. But this is for me, not just to amass a bunch of followers.

Cheers everyone. I mean it.

Weekly Window Shopping: emandsprout on etsy

Good morning everyone!

Today I thought I would share some cute finds from a store on etsy, called emandsprout. There are a lot more cut things to look at on the seller's page, but I picked just four things that I liked the most.

Alpaca Love Ladies T-Shirt, $19

Isn't this a cute Reese and Cyrus (from AC: NL) shirt? I love it! T-shirts aren't always my favorite because I don't like things to be close to my neck, but I love the scoop in this t-shirt, and the design.

Lady Fox Sleep Mask, $18

Panda Sleep Mask, $18

Fox Face Mary Janes, $28

I'm super excited about the fox mary janes, as my SO ordered a pair for me as an anniversary gift. I'll be sure to post a review when they arrive!

Is there anything else from this seller you like? Or do you like my picks? Let me know!

Cheers!

My Makeup Today 4.21.2014

Product List

Face

• Baby Skin Primer
• Smashbox Liquid Halo in 1 (the lightest shade)
• Smooth Minerals Avon Powder Foundation in M02 Soft Ivory
• Physicians Formula concealer
• Physicians Formula Nude Wear Blush in Rose
• Benefits Watt's Up highlighter

Brows

• Anastasia brow pencil in Medium Brown
• Nyx Primal Colors in PC07/Hot Red

Eyes

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
• Maybelline Eyestudio Gel liner in Blackest Black
• A green and Bronze color mixed from the Coastal Scents 88 Original palette
• The Taupe color from the Sephora 4 shadows and a liner palette, Matte Madness #15 (lower lash line)
• Cover Girl Clump Crusher mascara

Lips

• Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Istanbul

Hey everyone! My scumbag brain decided we needed to get up at 7 am instead of 7:45 this morning, so I actually had the time to do a full face of makeup (yay?). Let me just say that I fuckin LOVE the soft matte lip creams from Nyx. I also own Addis Ababa and it's so poppin. They go on fairly well but the staying power isn't great and I do find them to be drying. But the pay off is definitely worth it. 

Gel liner is not my friend, let me tell you. I've always had a hard time applying it, but I was really feeling a winged eyeliner look today so I thought fuck it, why not and went with it anyway.

What looks have you been rockin lately? Let me know!

Cheers!

My Makeup Today 4.18.14

Product List

Face

• Baby Skin Primer
• Smashbox Liquid Halo in 1 (the lightest shade)
• Smooth Minerals Avon Powder Foundation in M02 Soft Ivory
• ELF High Definition Powder
• Physicians Formula concealer
• Physicians Formula Nude Wear Blush in Rose
• Benefits Watt's Up highlighter

Brows

• Anastasia brow pencil in Medium Brown
• One of the reds on the lower right from Coastal Scents Original 88 Palette

Eyes

• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
• Nyx Milk jumbo eye pencil
• Julep Kajal eye glider/liner (the black end)
• Same red as brows mixed with a dark brown from the Coastal Scents 88 Original palette
• Makeup Forever mascara in smoky extravagant

Lips

• Baby Lips in 70/Pink Shock

Hey guys! Here's what I did for makeup today, and my awesome roommate helped me out. :D First time doing red brows, and I'm happy about it. 

What did you do today?

Cheers!