Outfit #68: Oh Snap!

Pleated Faux Leather Skirt: Forever 21 (Similar) // Oh Snap! Tanktop c/o Graysonshop // Jewelry: eBay (Similar Necklace) (Similar Ring) // Contrast Leather Jacket: Nasty Gal (Similar) // Shoes: Love Culture (Similar)

Gosh, I am exhausted today. This morning it took me about five minutes to acknowledge that my alarm was going off because half asleep I kept wondering "isn't someone going to turn that off?". I blame it on the fact that I cried myself to sleep last night. I'm not proud of it - I was letting my emotions get the better of me in a situation that is pretty much beyond my control and something I saw coming for a long time.

I recently lost one of my oldest and closest friends, and yesterday she quietly "cut the last tie" and deleted me off of Facebook. While I saw this coming - the two of us had been growing apart for ages and nothing really seemed to be able to repair it - the finality of the blow really got to me. While some people say "Facebook isn't real life!" I must argue that in our generation it most certainly IS. Deleting someone off of Facebook is psychologically "purging" them from your life, saying they don't have the privilege of even a voyeueristic and silent look into your life.

I think that's been the hardest part about reaching my mid twenties. I've definitely seen who my TRUE friends are (especially through a lot of the nonsense that occurred during the TV show - I was an awful friend who didn't have time for ANYONE because I was so wrapped up in my own life. The friend who deleted me off of Facebook could not forgive me for this, but I have some pretty solid amazing ladies who were nothing but gracious and understanding through all of it.) But it's difficult… I used to want to be friends with everyone and want everyone to like me so badly. I still desire that, but I don't compromise myself for people anymore - and that truly shows me who should be in my life and who shouldn't be.

All of my friends who are in their thirties assure me that this is a very natural part of your twenties -  you grow up and leave people behind. While it's comforting to know it has happened to countless others, it does not much soothe the sting of loss.

I know all I can do is cling to the wonderful memories she and I had together. She was my best friend for many years and we helped each other through some incredibly difficult times and created some hilarious memories that I will always cherish. I hope someday she can release whatever anger she feels for me and we can laugh about this, but until then I will not allow myself to fall prey to anger or pettiness.

Have any of you experience the inevitable ebb and flow of friendship? How did you deal with it?

Outfit #67: Leather and Lace

Velvet Dress: Thrifted (Similar) // Crochet Vest: Thrifted (Similar) // Jacket: Forever 21 (Buy here) // Shoes: Litas by Jeffrey Campbell (Buy here) // Hat: Thrifted (Similar) // Geometric Necklace c/o Sweet Mayhem Boutique  // Crystal Ring c/o Little Otto

So, a fashion icon of mine has always been Stevie Nicks. Not only do I love the music she creates, but her effortless, medieval/boho inspired fashion has always been a source of inspiration for me. I had grainy printed out pictures of her from the internet tacked to my wall when I was a teenager and constantly tried to emulate her style. As a geeky awkward young thing obsessed with fantasy novels and elves, Stevie's style seemed like the perfect way to look like I had come from a modern day Lothlorien.

Though my style these days shifts pretty constantly from recovering goth to anime girl to Seattle hipster to 70s rock goddess, Stevie is still always close to my fashionable little heart. This outfit was obviously 100% inspired by her - I just need a top hat!

What about you guys? Who are your consistent style icons through the years?

Outfit #66: Tattoo Time!

Last photograph of my naked leg before it was inked forever!

Skirt: Thrifted in Idaho // Sweater: Forever 21 // Boots: Just Fab // Jacket: Love Culture // Unicorn Necklace: Forever 21 // Scarf: Thrifted // Purse: H&M

My tattoo artist, Ryan Wiebusch. He's very beautiful.

I got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday: A golden snitch tattoo on the top of my right wrist. As anyone who has tattoos knows... once you pop, you can't stop. I got a bunch of tattoos in quick succession - and then I just stopped.

I was waiting to see what was going on with my career and didn't have the money or time to dedicate to ink. I thought about it constantly, but nothing really gave me that neat little "shove" into getting more ink. However, I decided to stop sitting on my hands and let my uberly talented friend Ryan Wiebusch poke me with inky needles - and godDAMN am I glad I did! Ryan is only the shop apprentice at ArtCore Tattoo here in Seattle, Washington and he is already just stupidly good at what he does. I came with him with a loose concept of a Sailor Moon tattoo - I knew I wanted the Crisis Compact, Cherry Blossoms and Clouds and what he came up with was more than I could have imagined. I'm SO in love with it - it's beautiful beyond belief and I can't wait for it to heal enough for me to go back in and get the clouds.

We're already scheming a TARDIS piece for the inside of my calf, muaha.

And I'm back, by the way! I used to post outfit pics with such frequency because I had a boyfriend that I would wrangle into photographing me, then I was single for quite some time and taking photos with a tripod was a terrifying experience for both my neighbors and myself. But I'm happy to report that I am now dating a wonderful man (who I appreciate for more than his ability to take outfit pics of me, geez!) who I can pout at until he photographs me again. Yay!

I have lots of fun stuff coming up! Some new video blogs, some makeup reviews, some tutorials... and OneUp Makeup is back in full swing! HOORAY 2014! I missed you unicorns <3

Holiday Geek Gift Guide: The Whovian

As we all know, Doctor Who is a long running British SciFi show with a rabid and obsessed fanbase called "Whovians". I count myself in this hoard of time traveling loving maniacs, and therefore spend a lot of time poking around the internet looking for Doctor Who things I desperately desire. This gift guide comes in two parts: Doctor Who Jewelry (because geeky jewelry is the best subtle nerd statement there is!), and "general" Doctor Who finds.

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What do you guys think? Did I miss anything essential? If you could have only ONE THING from these items, which would it be?

Holiday Geek Gift Guide: The Anime Fan

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The holidays are almost here... which means: GEEKY GIFT GIVING! As someone with a serial shopping addiction, I'm always scouring the internet for the best items, and finally my affliction comes to your aid!

This gift guide is perfect for the anime geek in your life. I've represented all of the factions of most popular anime here, along with my FAVORITE manga of all time, Uzumaki. Seriously, it's a must read. You should probably get it for yourself, too.

What are some of your favorite anime gift ideas for this holiday season?