You Run With The Devil...

Before anything else,
THANK YOU
to everyone who left such nice comments
on my last (big) entry :D
You warm my strange little heart!
Also, you're all GORGEOUS ;)

Now, entry!

The Girl At The Rock Show

Am I a girly-girl? I suppose so, by some
standards, at least.
I love my fashions, I heart makeup,
I collect creepy, huge-eyed dollies!
But there is another side to me,
a side that meshes with the girly side flawlessly
in real life, though in clothing, it does not always
translate as well at all.
I speak, of course, of my inner-rocker-chick.

Music has always been fundamental to
understanding the Me.
And while my tastes morph and evolve,
at the end of the day I am still a sucker for
a guitar, a set of drums, and an earnest voice.
As a teenager, music was my translator.
Old school Goo Goo Dolls and The Smashing Pumpkins
and Joy Division and Weezer.
And while lately I have gotten ever so tragically
indie and cooler-than-thou,
the formula remains,
along with my fondness for Skin Art.

But again, how to translate this fashionably?
I've never had trouble altering band t's,
or looking like the proper rock star girlfriend
(I was one for a while, after all)
but 'classy' isn't a word one often prescribes
to such looks.
More often, one looks as if
Hot Topic threw up all over them

Then again, Debbie Harry and Patti Smith
have never been anything but class.
(And Courtney Love is her own form of classy)
I've already experimented, as you may have seen,
what with my Blondie and my Siouxsie t's.
This season, I try in earnest!

We start with some boots...

Are they not the best things EVER?! :D
Forever21, of course.

Harry & The Potters T-Shirt.
Oh yeah, I wanna wrock ;)

Faithful military jacket,
Maurice's, long ago.
Patches include The Wards, LZ, & Bowie.

Can't touch this.

Demure? Maybe.
I would also like to bring to your attention
Tiny Black Shorts:
just one of the many gifts Japan
has given the world.
For the girl who likes the fashion-aspect of short skirts,
but not the potential skank-aspect!

Top: JC Penny's, forever ago
Skirt & Studded Cinch: Japanese Mall

Studs came back in force this year,
as anyone who follows any blog anywhere knows.
This has been a boon to the confused rocker girl!
Easily give any outfit that much more edge.

Denim Mini: Potentially pushing it,
as far as the class-factor goes.
However, how can you deny SD?

Top: Banded Dress, chopped by me.
Necklace: Local shop, altered by me.
Skirt: Thrifted, chopped by me.
Belt: Local shop
Social Distortion Hoodie: Gift from galpal.

Also starring!
Guitar Earrings: Japanese mall
Lo Sunglasses: Hot Topic, ages ago

In creative news,
I've eased back into jewelry making,
starting with the altering of this darling
little charm.

This came with a blouse I purchased,
and I adored it,
however I cannot wear gold.
I am a winter through and through,
gold looks awful on me.
Thus!

We engage in a bit of jiggery-pokey...

Viola! Silver.

Accomplished: I is it.

And while we're at it,
Here's a dash of music for you!
Now, I have some sushi with my name on it.

Til Next We Meet,
♥,
~ Amy

Look How They Shine...

Real entry tomorrow.
For now, something strange, hilarious,
and also whimsical :D




I have always wanted to hug Beaker.


♥,
~ Amy

I'm Not Beautiful Like You (I'm Beautiful Like Me)

You Are Who You Are Who You Are

Girls we are, in general, very insecure creatures.
Even the most confidant and outspoken of us
can give each other shopping lists of what
we do not like about our physical appearance,
let alone our various quirks and neurosis.
We are told to accept and love our bodies as they are,
by the same society that tells us
we should be a certain size, a certain color, a certain body type.

Personally, I think we should all take
a more balanced approach.
Yes, you are beautiful just as God made you.
There's still nothing wrong with making yourself
into your very best YOU.
Not Sienna, Not Zooey, Not Mary-Kate, YOU.

I think we tend to let that shopping list hold us back.
Maybe one mean person in your past caused you
to look at yourself through warped glasses,
and stunted your desire to change,
or, worse, made you obsessive
in your need to change.

I will use myself as the example, gladly,
of how to have a balanced outlook
between loving who you are,
and making yourself look like your best YOU.

There Are Things That Can Change

My Skin: My face? OILY! I have combination on my face, both oily and easily dried-out. I've never had HORRID acne, but enough to cause me angst, believe me. Worst of all? I have yet to find a solution that works for longer than 3 months. My face builds up an immunity, I swear. But you know what? I DON'T GIVE UP. I keep up a cycle of three facial cleansers, and every now and then I'll try something new. Yes it's annoying, but it works. So I DO IT.

Tooth Color: I have very crooked, yellow teeth. I was picked on for them all my life, and for a while, I thought my only solution would be when I got them straightened, whenever that was. Why whiten them, if I was only going to have to put braces on them later, getting them stained all over again? So I dealt with it, until I got sick of it. I want to feel better NOW, so I'll make myself feel better NOW! Crest White Strips are amazing :D I got lazy there for a little while, but am now back on track. SOOOO worth it.

Feet: Probably my most embarrassing problem...I had warts! Horrible ones! After one incident with a public shower sans flip-flops, I became the budding beginnings of Tree Man. I rarely went barefoot, wore socks to bed with Husbot, it was awful. I thought, with such a profusion, that I would have to wait until I could have a doctor prescribe a cure. WRONG! In a bout of desperation, I purchased Dr. Scholls Freeze-Away. FOUR TREATMENTS LATER, and they were GONE! Poof! I have pretty feet!!! Now I work to keep them moisturized, as I've always had dry skin on my feet, but otherwise? I HAVE PRETTY FEET! I am still jubilant over this. Simple stuff from the pharmacy DOES work most of the time, girls.

Lips: Less of a problem than the previous two, but even so, I am allergic to most lip products. I've envied girls who can grab whatever from the store and wear it well. But I've hunkered down and done my homework, and know how to look for hypoallergenic products. I'm always looking for more, if anyone has suggestions! Almay, while wonderful, is only one option.

Eyebrows: Ugh, I've always had thick eyebrows. In highschool I was completely clueless as to how to work with them, as most of us were. When i got my first job, one of the first things I did with y paycheck was get them waxed, and the lady botched them horribly. I've only found one person who did them well, and she lived hours away from me! So what did I do? I taught myself how to pluck my own damn eyebrows the way I like 'em! And save myself 30$+ a month.

Staying In Shape: The easiest, and the hardest. I've always been weak. I've always been easily-winded, under-fed, and prone to getting sick. Since moving to Japan, I have started working out in earnest, hooping daily, and eating healthier (an easy thing to do in this country). The hardest parts are motivation, and resisting the urge to become obsessive, as I was in the past, starving myself in bouts. Having friends to help keep you accountable is invaluable!

The best part about all of these,
even if they do not fully solve a problem,
they lend you OODLES of confidence in yourself.
Find your solutions!

There Are Things You Must Accept

My Nose: I despise my big, slightly-bent nose. Some days I feel all enlightened, and know that it is who I am, and that if I have a daughter, she'll likely have it too. What kind of message will I send her, if I change it? Other days, I find myself pricing plastic surgeons and comparing that to our budget plans for the next ten years. Bottom line, though? It's not gonna change tomorrow. I won't be uber-at peace with my body, nor will I have a few grand to drop on some slicin'. IT IS WHAT IT IS, TODAY. I know it is one of those things that is most noticable to me, that other people don't really see it the way I do. This applies to many things about yourself, incidentally! There are plenty of things about my face others find enviable. So suck it up, self. Either way, I'm stuck with this nose for a good while.

My Curves: I know, right? For the record, I do like having a shape. I like having hips, and a chest, especially as the rest of my body gets toned. But we all want what we can't have, and I wish I could be the willowy, lithe girl swathed in whatever designer dress she wants, on whom all styles are flattering. I envy Sienna Miller, I envy Jessica Stam and Cintia Dicker. But I've learned to dress what I have. And I know plenty of girls would kill (or drop good money) to have my cup-size. And hey, I have a husbot who's QUITE happy with my digits. So I pass over the suspenders fad, and enjoy being a classic body type.

Skin Tone: For YEARS I wanted to be able to tan. And while I've learned how to get a little healthy color to my face, I will never be tan. It's just not in my set of genes, despite the bit of Native American in me. I'm far more French. And you know what? That's okay. I keep my skin healthy. Tattoo artists rave about my skin tone as they paint upon me like a perfect white canvas and tell me to never, EVER tan. I'm pale. I like it.

My Height: It's not as if I am all that tall, really. Still, at 5'7, I am already a giant in Japan. Most of my good friends here are very petite, short and tiny. I feel like a giraffe in comparison. And then when I want to put on sky-high heels? Forget it, I feel ten feet tall. But SO WHAT? Especially when I found out that Rumi is the same height I am, I stopped caring. I'll wear them high heels if I want, I'll tower above the masses if I want to! Being singular is nothing to be scared of.

Some Things To Do

List What You Love: I love my eyes, I love how big they are and that they are dark. I love my hair and I love my floaty arms. I love my lips! People have told me they envy my lips, and I am happy to have them, in all their plump allergic-to-everything-ness!

Stop Using The Word 'Hate' To Describe Yourself: Sounds fluffy, but it's true! Even when you're talking about the things you don't like, don't use the word hate. You're slowly, subtely killing your own self-esteem.

Think Of All The Other Things That Make You Fabulous & Fascinating: I am a creative person. I spin worlds and see things nobody else does. I'm a grand cook and a deviant lover and I can knit a scarf in a single evening, and so on and so on. Knowing and owning all these wonderful things about yourself adds a spring to your step, a secretive smile to your face, a confidance of the soul. Few things brighten a face like confidance.

Listen To Your Loved Ones: This one is still hard for me. But when someone compliments something about you? Accept it! Thank them! Don't protest. Don't make a face. Especially when it is someone dear to you. This is a person who loves you inside and out and sees every bit of beauty about you. They are TELLING YOU THE TRUTH, even if you don't believe it. And slowly, maybe, by not protesting, you might start to take their words to heart.

Compliment Others: Seeing the beauty in the people around you in your every day life will, I believe, help you see it in yourself. Also, it is just good for the soul, plain and simple. Don't always be looking for the faults in yourself, look for the things that are dazzling in others.

Again, I often fail at these things.
But it is good to have them written down,
committed to memory.
I challenge everyone to do so!
What are the things you've changed in yourself?
The things you've learned to accept?
Do you use different tools to build up your own
self esteem?
I won't tag any other bloggers, but I think that it
would be a wonderful thing to share :D





'Til Next We Meet,
♥,
~Amy

Beautifulness

Beautiful/Funny Words From Beautiful/Funny Women

Because that's always fun!

“Some of the most wonderful people
are the ones who don't fit into boxes.” ~ Tori Amos

“If you have no time for anything else, put on a little blush.
It gives you an easy glow.” ~ Estee Lauder

"It's a form of escapism, isn't it, to delve into your imagination? But it's also a divine kind of freedom: inside your mind is somewhere where you have total freedom, which no one can take away. If you go through painful events, or you find it hard to live, you have a greater desire to create something in your mind that's more beautiful."
~ Natasha Khan

“Oh my god, girls, wash your makeup brushes!”
~ Scarlett Johansson

“Maybe you don't like your job, maybe you didn't get enough sleep, well nobody likes their job, nobody got enough sleep. Maybe you just had the worst day of your life, but you know, there's no escape, there's no excuse, so just suck up and be nice.”
~ Ani DiFranco

"Just like any woman,...we weave our stories out of our bodies. Some of us through our children, or our art; some do it just by living. It's all the same."
~ Francesca Lia Block

“I am not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.”
~ Marilyn Monroe



♥,
~ Amy

Pearl's Dream

There's a place I must go
There's a place I must go
It's not a place I have seen
But I’ll get there in a blue dream...

Down the ocean road
Past a sign that says 'Good Love Town'
Into a darkness where the stars do drown
But a star in me needs to be free...

So I'm a little under the weather.
I had a wonderful rock-themed entry
that I've been wanting to do for a while, alas,
the idea of running around putting on clothes
is currently as appealing to me as
walking outside in this humid,
earthquake-ridden summer heat.
But it shall be saved,
as I have been plotting an entry on
how to fashionably pull off
Rocker Chick Chic
for a good while now.
I will, after all, always be at heart,
The Girl At The Rock Show.

Anyways, a short little entry of substance!
I've gotten back into the swing of polyvore,
and I am ever so pleased that I have.
Autumn is coming soon,
(not soon enough for my boiling New Englander blood)
So here is a recap of the summer's
personal trends,
and those to come in the future!

Summer In The City by Leanan Sidhe featuring Forever21

I am not a summer-dresser.
Thus, there were a lot of new items in my closet.
Shorts returned after a long absense,
and more age-appropriate graphics.
(Star Wars, of course, knows no age)
Bright color is my friend now, huzzah!
Those studded Forever21 flipflops are of the gods.

Fall/Winter in Kyoto by Leanan Sidhe featuring Dorothy Perkins

Fall, of course, is another story entirely!
I shall not have to buy nearly as many new items,
as I keep the classic lines in my closet always.
Which is wise, I think, as trends come and go,
and thanks to Forever21 can suppliment cheaply.
Tweed skirts and denim are forever!
I can't wait for those boots to arrive in the mail,
squee!
My faithful black military jacket cannot
wait to leave the closet.

Makeup by Leanan Sidhe on Polyvore.com

Aaand my current face!

Lash Blast: Totally lives up to all the hype.
I have learned to not fear color on my eyes,
and have recently ordered some dazzling colors
from Lime Crime.
I do whatever Gala tells me too :D
I use clear mascara to set my eyebrows,
and have discovered the wonder that is
liquid eyeliner. Oh my gawd, use it!
Those aren't my brushes, but I have a similar set.
I cannot stress how much nicer shadows,
concealer, etc. go on when using a proper brush!
Just remember to shampoo them gently once a week!


All right, enough foofera!
I must go medicate myself and curl up on the couch
watching Project Runway.

Next Entry,
how to be the classy rocker chick :D

Until then, Trailer!
The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus!
For those unaware, Heath Ledger's last film.
After his death, Collin Farrel, Jude Law, and
Johnny Depp stepped in to complete his scenes,
and donated all of their salaries to Heath's daughter,
Mathilda.
It looks just as beautiful as it should.




'Til Next We Meet,
♥,
~ Amy

Build A Ladder To The Sky...

(from flickr)

Pastels & Beautifully Delusional Women

This week looks to be a nice one.
I'm working out harder,
I'm feeling creative again,
And I feel like I want to make things again,
which is always a goodly thing!
Hopefully I'll have some jewelry made soon.

For now, frillies!

This HBO film was brought to my attention as something I HAD to see in two ways! First, I read a rather fascinating article in Elle about the plot and the fabulous fashions contained within. Also, one of my closest friends here in Japan is the niece of Vivian Baker, who did all of Drew Barrymore’s makeup and prosthetics, and who happens to be up for two Emmy Awards thanks to this flick! So we had to have a viewing/pajama party when I bought the DVD, obviously.

Grey Gardens tells the story of Edith Bouvier Beale (Jessica Lange) and her daughter, also named Edith (Drew Barrymore)…Big Edie and Little Edie, respectively…the aunt and first cousin of Jackie Onassis. The film flashes back and forth between the days of Little Edie’s youth, when she was a stylish, wealthy debutante, and the late 70’s, when she and her mother are living in poverty in the crumbling remains of the family summer home, Grey Gardens. We see, over the course of the film, what brought them to this place, and what ultimately becomes of them.

After failing to make something of her art and the failure of her marriage, Big Edie retreats from society, hiding herself away in her house. After her first great heartbreak at the hands of a married man (when she knew she should have known better) and the return of her embarrassing alopecia (which causes ALL of Drew Barrymore’s hair to fall out), Little Edie allows herself to be dragged along into reclusion with her mother. The trust fund slowly runs out, the house begins to decay, the cats take over, and it isn’t until the Health Department raids the place that Jackie finds out exactly what has happened to her favorite cousin.

The themes of the film are, frankly, lovely. The complicated relationship between all mothers and daughters is illustrated in this drastic and unhealthy example, as well as what happens when we let fear and past failures get the better of us…again, in a very drastic way. Visually, it’s lovely as well! Even in their poverty, the Edies were known for being extremely stylish and avant-garde, and both actresses portray them brilliantly, as women who won’t admit that their lives have taken a downturn. And oh my lawd, Vivian definitely earned those Emmy nods. Drew looks drastically different, but not as if she even HAS a prosthetic on, which she does for the entire film. Later on, with her hair all having fallen out and her face covered in age spots, you catch yourself thinking she’s really let herself go. And the difference between young Jessica Lange and elderly Jessica Lange will take your breath away.

The film has a pleasantly happy ending, of a sort, with Little Edie finally overcoming her selfish fear of the world for the last few decades of her life, and you’re cheering for her. This film could be a downer for some, but overall, it speaks to the heart. We’ll be having another party Emmy Night, keep your fingers crossed for Vivian Baker!

~~~

Bat For Lashes released her newest video,
for one of my very favorite songs off of
Two Suns.
Oh Natasha Khan, you are so weird!
I love it! And because I do,
you all get to see it as well ;)




~~~

Wardrobe Project!

I give you the many faces of girly.

Super-Girly!
I'm rather enamored of these shoes.
The bow, while not suitable for
all occasions, makes my short hair happy.

Headband, Shoes, Top, Skirt: Japanese Mall
Necklace: Made By Moi
White Stockings: K-Mart :D
Belt: Old Navy

Many new clips!
I am prepping for when my hair
is once more blue.

Sunday Girly!

Top, Skirt: Forever21
Camisole: Maurice's
Stockings: K-Mart
Steve Madden Shoes: Payless

Is this red giraffe-print not DIVINE?!

Daily Girly!
Top, Skinny Jeans: Forever21
Shoes, AWESOME Red Bag: Japanese Mall
Hello Kitty Headband: Plato's Closet

Oh hai <.<


Next time, I hope to have some new
jewelry made to show off!
I've already started knitting again,
oh the domestic joys!

'Til Next We Meet,
♥,
~Amy