M i a M o o r e

Guest Post: Letters and Care Packages

2013-05-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

Psst, I'm in Disney World right now! Wanna keep up with me? Check out my Twitter or Instagram.

Jo and I are exchanging guest posts! I just joined the International Geek Girl Penpal Club and I love Jo's creativity with her letters and care packages, so I asked her to share some! Be sure to pop by her blog to say hello and see some of her other posts.

Hi! I'm Jo, the writer behind Jo, My Gosh! I'm the fiancee of a sailor currently on a year-long deployment to Afghanistan. I blog about deployment, wedding planning, crafts, care packages, and recipes! I'm so excited to share a small part of my life with you!

Mia asked me to write a little bit about the letters and care packages that I've sent to John over the last year. With just a few more weeks left in the deployment, I thought this would be the perfect way to look back and recap.

Today is day 351 of John's deployment, and to date, I've written 351 letters to him. I love to write and, at the beginning of the deployment, I thought it would be a perfect way to chronicle the year and ensure that John received regular mail. I'll be honest, Nicholas Sparks was part of my inspiration. You see, I hate Nicholas Sparks, and I hate The Notebook, too. In The Notebook, Noah, sends What's-Her-Face a letter every day for a year. Whatever, I thought. I can do that. And I have been... I'm just 14 days away from completing an entire year of letters.

If you're interested, here are some of my favorite envelope doodles:

Up until last week, I was sending John care packages every two weeks or so. But now, he's coming home, and I can't send anymore! (I don't think I've ever been so happy to have someone tell me that I can't do something!) I try to make sure the care packages are decorated with cute or funny themes.

Here's a veggie-filled package that riffed on Forrest Gump's famous "peas and carrots" quote:

I've sent him a lot of dorky puns, too. Lucky for John, he got a two-fer in this St. Patrick's Day (Root) Beer Pong box.

I also tried to stay topical when possible. This was one of the first boxes John received so he could celebrate the Summer Olympics, too. I sent him sports-themed items-- Gatorade, sports magazines, a small basketball backboard...

And then there were holiday care packages, too. I sent John an Easter egg hunt in a box in April. (And cookies, too. I always send him lots of cookies and homemade granola bars.)

If you're interested in seeing all of the care packages I've sent John in the past year, check them out here. I'd love to have you drop by!

Daily Outfit: Class of 2013

2013-05-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I graduated this past weekend and am now in Disney World with my family! I have a few posts scheduled up for you. Don't forget to enter the giveaway by Wednesday for your chance to win!

I am normally a wordy person, but I think in this case, photos capture the moment better than words ever could. Thank you to all my professors and mentors who believed in me and to my family for being my strongest supporters. I am so shocked I was able to graduate in 3 years (!) and couldn't have done it without my support system.

Honors Convocation

Outfit Details:

Shirt: Target | Necklace: The Limited | Belt: Forever 21 | Skirt: ModCloth | Shoes: Target

Commencement

Outfit Details:
Pearls: Gift (they're real!) | Dress: Forever 21 | Shoes: Target
Nails: e.l.f. Essential Nail Polish in Mango Madness

My plans after graduation? Move to Austin, go to Disney World, intern somewhere this summer, and then go to grad school in the fall!

Metroplex Lolitas Twinning Meetup

2013-05-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Prints as sweet as sugar!

After the ATX lolita group posted photos of their super huge twinning meetup, some of the Metroplex girls wanted to try it too! Twinning in lolita is when you pair with someone else and wear the same dress or print. It can be the same color and cut or totally different, and you can match it down to the shoes and wig or only match prints. There's a lot of freedom within twinning!

All the twins!

Oh no! Stop fighting, we're friends!

Unfortunately, I proved to be bad luck during the planning phase of this meetup. Everyone I planned on twinning with couldn't make the final meetup day! So I played photographer and lamented being twin-less. No cute twinning poses for me! On the plus side, I did get to wear a new skirt I recently acquired secondhand and pretending I know how to use my camera is really fun!

A beautiful photo edit by Camille showcasing my lonely self.

Outfit Details:

Headband, Bolero, Blouse, Purse: Forever 21 | Skirt: Bodyline

Wrist Cuffs: Handmade (not by me!) | Tights: Target | Shoes: ModCloth

My bolero, skirt, and wrist cuffs were all bought secondhand from other lolitas. Swap meets are my favorite!

All of our lovely twins! I think every pair turned out so adorable and well-coordinated! It was such a fun meetup idea and something I'd love to try again (maybe next time with a twin).

Have you ever matched outfits with someone else?

Psst, don't forget to enter the Love is Sweet giveaway with several prizes adding up to $59! The deadline for entering is Wednesday!

Love is Sweet Giveaway!

2013-05-15T09:00:00.000-05:00

Some of my May sponsors and I have gotten together to host a giveaway! It ended up being themed appropriately to match Donna's banner, so it's called the Love is Sweet giveaway!

The prizes are...

A dessert table banner from The Epicurean Crafter
A cupcake headband from Love A Lolita
Ad space from Jo, My Gosh!
Ad space from Mia Moore (that's me ;)

Altogether, the giveaway is worth $59!

How to Enter

Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter the giveaway. The only requirement is that you leave a comment on this post, but you can earn extra entries too! No giveaway-only accounts. If you don't have a need for ad space, then we will pick two winners.

The giveaway ends on Wednesday, 5/22. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cosplay: Female Engineer from Team Fortress 2

2013-05-10T09:00:00.002-05:00

In my cosplay series, I examine each costume I make, how I created it, what I would do differently, and so on! For more cosplay posts, just look in the cosplay tag here or sort by costume here. For cosplay tutorials, check out the Cosplay 101 tag.

This is one of my all-time favorite costumes to wear! It feels like I bring it out almost every convention. It was also one of my very first "real" costumes to complete!

I really love the freedom of interpretation that these kinds of genderbend costumes allow. I've seen so many different takes on female Team Fortress 2 characters, all of them unique and special in their own way! I am happy to add my hat to the ring.

Female Engineer from Team Fortress 2

Back when I used to play games a lot, TF2 was my go-to, and Engineer was my main class. Aside from loving the gameplay strategies the Engineer used, I adored his personality. I had always wanted to do a female version as a costume, but it took a while to get the push to do it.

A friend of mine who used to cosplay (male) Engineer was retiring his costume and gifted me all of his accessories, making it much easier for me to throw the rest of the costume together! Everything is hodgepodged from different locations. I am particularly fond of the bright color of the shirt and the girly details it has -- I found it right before the convention at a Plato's Closet!

Conventions

Ikkicon 2011
A-Kon 2012
Comet Con (3rd place in the cosplay contest!)

(I feel like there are more but I'm having a hard time remembering!)

Materials

Hardhat, glove, kneepads, goggles: Home Depot (gift from my friend)

Wig: Arda Wigs

Shirt: Plato's Closet

Engineer Class Patches: Neither Sparky on Etsy (hard to see, but they are there!)

Suspender shorts: Forever 21

Belt: Mom's

Boots: Forever 21

I like...

I love this character and how comfortable this costume is! It's easy to put on, recognizable, and I can wear it all day with ease.

Since there is no official female version of the classes, I had a lot of freedom in deciding what direction I wanted to go in. I've seen a whole range of female TF2 costumes, and they all have their own charms, whether they are dead-accurate or pin-up versions.

As I was picking out costume pieces, I tried to keep in mind what a female version of the Engineer would wear -- nothing too fussy or difficult to wear in battle, but with a few extra girly elements. I think I succeeded in making a costume I felt captured his personality, but balanced with some added femininity.

I don't like...

I can't believe how long I've had this costume to still not have a prop for it! I really want to make a wrench and maybe a suitcase dispenser, but I keep forgetting until it's too close to the convention.

Next time, I'll...

I definitely want to have the wrench ready next time I wear this costume. Also, if I can find some actual overall shorts rather than suspender shorts, I'd prefer that, but so far I'm having a hard time finding any that fit right. Other than that, I may need to replace my boots soon, but the rest of my costume is good to go!

Cosplay: Tamara from The Devil's Carnival

2013-05-08T09:29:00.002-05:00

In my cosplay series, I examine each costume I make, how I created it, what I would do differently, and so on! For more cosplay posts, just look in the cosplay tag here.

Tamara from The Devil's Carnival!

This is the first costume I've done from something that wasn't animated -- The Devil's Carnival is a horror musical by the same team that created Repo! The Genetic Opera. I used to shadowcast Repo! so when TDC came out, I knew I had to see it. I went to the original road tour and waited around to see what else would happen. Now, part two of TDC is in the works, and in the meantime, they had another road tour that was a double feature of TDC and Repo! I knew I wanted to make a costume for TDC, so this was the perfect opportunity.

The challenge? The second road tour was announced about it a month before the day of the show. I had a real time crunch in making this costume.

Tamara from The Devil's Carnival

Of all the characters in The Devil's Carnival, Tamara was one of my favorites, though she appears in the movie for a pretty short period of time. Her sin is being too trusting -- she plays the frog in the Aesop's Fable of "The Scorpion and the Frog."

The carnival that hell is set in is in some kind of alternative universe, and Tamara's outfit is very 1950s inspired. I love all the little details that make it more "frog" like. From the moment I saw her, I knew I was going to make her dress.

Most of my photos of this costume are me hooping.

Events

The Devil's Carnival and Repo! The Genetic Opera Road Tour

Materials

Wig: Arda Wigs Jeannie in Spanish Brown (not pictured)
Dress: Handmade, using a selfmade pattern
Saddle Shoes: Payless

I like...

This dress was a monster to sew. I made up my own pattern for the whole thing with some help from a friend and it took about a week of near constant work. The pattern I used was supposed to fit my measurements, but it really didn't and required a lot of constant adjustments, and I wound up having to make a lot up as I went along. It was really a pain to make my own pattern and I'm not sure I'll ever do it again.

At the same time, though, the dress came out totally cute. The anchors on the bodice are made with fabric paint, the froggies were cut out and will be ironed on... I think it looks a lot like her dress.

It's also got a HUGE skirt and was really fun to twirl around in!

She's also just a really fun character to play. I got to hand out ring pops and have people serenade me. It was great.

I don't like...

On the day of the show, my wig just wouldn't work out. I was bummed out because I bought the perfect wig, but the ponytail clip made it too heavy to stay on my head. (I found out later that I have to sew some clips in it. Who knew!) I think it turned out alright though -- movie audiences tend to be more tolerant of inaccuracies in costumes than convention audiences. At the same time, I really want to wear the wig next time!

I also want to finish up some of the pieces of the dress -- iron on the froggies, make a few corrections here and there, and so on.

Next time, I'll...

Fix the wig, finish up everything, and in general just have a more complete costume! I hope to wear this to a convention or two eventually.

e.l.f. Haul + Review

2013-05-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Vegan, Cruelty-Free Makeup?

Today I'm trying something a little different -- I made a video of a beauty haul and I'm going to be reviewing some makeup I got from e.l.f.! In the video, I show all the products I'm going to review and also why I'm switching makeup brands. I'm making an effort to switch over to cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics, so when I heard that e.l.f. was all of that plus affordable, I had to make an order! Everything from e.l.f. is so inexpensive; the most expensive item I bought was still only $6. They also have specials and promotions constantly -- almost half of the items I received were free. Disclaimer: The links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I get a small kickback if you choose to purchase through them. However, all opinions are my own, and honestly? I am smitten with e.l.f. I joined the affiliate program after trying all their products, and I truly believe that e.l.f. is a great company.

Foundation and Concealer

Maximum Coverage Concealer, Mineral Booster, Tinted Moisturizer, Mineral Foundation, Flawless Finish Foundation

I tried out a few different foundations, concealers, and other skin fixers. I'm happy to say first off that everything matched my skin tone! I usually have the issue of getting makeup that is too orange or dark for me, but everything worked for my pale skin with pink undertones. Next, everything hydrated my skin. This is a big deal for me because with my dry skin, it is difficult to wear liquid or powder foundations because either one can make my skin flaky. That simply wasn't the case with e.l.f.! My overall favorite is the Mineral Foundation and Mineral Booster. The coverage was a little more than I anticipated, and I like it for daily use. They really smooth out my skin and make it look naturally flawless! I also enjoyed the Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer and the Studio Flawless Finish Foundation. The concealer covered most of my blemishes well, although I will always be cursed with undereye circles, and the liquid foundation is perfect for days where I want more coverage.The Studio Tinted Moisturizer wasn't moisturizing enough for me on its own and felt kind of heavy compared to the other products I got. As an added bonus, my face has really cleared up since I switched to this makeup. Is it possible that my previous, much more expensive foundation was breaking me out? Possibly.

Primers and Potions

Mineral Infused Face Primer, Eyelid Primer, High Definition Powder

I bought a Mineral Infused Face Primer and the Essential Eyelid Primer. I used to use the famed Smashbox primer, and I've found the e.l.f. primer to be a perfect replica of that! It helps everything glide on nicely and fills in any imperfections in your skin, without making it greasy. The eyelid primer is also great quality and stayed on all day when I used it. Both options come in corrective colors or clear. I chose clear and a neutral shade for the eyelid primer, but if you have any sort of discoloration give the colors a try. Another product I had heard a lot about was the Studio High Definition Powder. Let me tell you, it does not disappoint! Even though my skin already looked fabulous with concealer and foundation, the powder on top of it really sets everything and makes everything look even better. It's hard to explain, but I definitely think it's worth a purchase.

Eyes

Triple Tip Waterproof Eyeliner Pen, Eyeshadow Brush, Eye Crease Brush, Regular & Waterproof Mascara Duo, 100-Piece Eyeshadow Palette

As I stated in the video, I don't tend to do a lot of eye makeup. I'm actually working on expanding my makeup repertoire, and that means adding in eyeshadow and eyeliner into my regular rotation! The main reason I ordered when I did was to get the bonus 100-Piece Eyeshadow Palette as a gift. I was not disappointed! While I haven't used every color yet -- not even close! -- the range is impressive and I really enjoyed the color payoff of the colors I have tried. I think having more colors than just browns will help me experiment with makeup more. Another bonus I recieved was the Essential Triple Tip Waterproof Eyeliner Pen and the Essential Regular & Waterproof Mascara Duo. I love both of these products! I was skeptical to try the eyeliner pen, but it is actually the easiest way I have ever applied eyeliner. The only issue is that if you aren't holding it at an angle, the eyeliner has difficulty coming out of the pen, and it takes a little while to dry. The two-in-one mascara duo is also one of my new favorite products. The waterproof and regular formulas are both excellent and give me lashes comparable to my last mascara, Maybelline's Great Lash. The one product I wasn't satisfied with were the brushes, the Essential Eyeshadow Brush and the Essential Eye Crease Brush. They shed and felt very rough on my skin. Compared to my other synthetic brushes, they just didn't stack up, although they are a little bit less expensive.

Lips

Shimmer Lip Gloss

I only got one lip product this time around -- the Essential Shimmer Lip Gloss! It was sent as part of the promo deal I got, but might be one of my favorite items. The color is really flattering on me, it doesn't feel goopy and sticky, and it lasts a while. It also has a pleasant scent (and flavor?!). I actually already bought some in a different color because I loved it so much!

I'm an e.l.f. Convert!

It's official -- I love e.l.f.! I have always been skeptical of budget beauty brands, but e.l.f. far exceeded my expectations. I actually already made another order (Don't look at me like that, they have excellent promotions!) and I'm looking forward to trying to find the perfect vegan red lipstick.

I think e.l.f. is perfect for those trying to be humane with their makeup while on a tight budget, but it works so well that anyone could benefit from trying it out!

Have you tried e.l.f. before? What did you think?

Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite e.l.f. products or any favorite vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics!

Cosplay 101: Detangling a Cosplay Wig

2013-05-01T14:46:00.000-05:00

Today I'm going to share a technique I used on my poor, neglected wig to get all the knots and tangles out. This wig was my very first one, from Arda, and sadly, I didn't know anything about wig care at the time. After wearing it, I didn't put it nicely back in the bag or comb through it to eliminate tangles, and after a while, it was just a knotty mess! I'd finger comb it before I wore it, but realized that it was far too tangled to wear anymore.

I'm almost embarrassed to show the before photos, my wig was in awful shape!

I found this post floating around Tumblr, so I decided to use the same method to detangle my wig -- at this point, it was either get a new wig or try something to salvage it. I was pleased with the results and it was really simple to do!

Using a tub that matches your fabric softener is optional.

First, take a capful of fabric softener and mix it with enough water to mostly fill the tub. Flip your wig inside out and swish it gently in the water. Next, let it sit in the tub for a while -- I left mine for about a week. Let it dry on a towel. Once it's dry, comb through with a wig brush or wire brush. If you have a lot of patience, you can also finger-comb through the whole thing, but my wig was too far gone for that.

Ta-da! A like-new smooth, shiny wig!

There was a little bit of shedding during the last step, but overall, my wig looks completely revived! The only issue is that the style in the wig fell out a little bit, but that's easy to fix. I'm so happy this worked for my wig, hope this helped you too!

Do you have any wig care or cosplay questions?

I'd love to do more short cosplay tutorial posts, so ask away!

Lolita: Sweet Mix Swap Meet

2013-04-24T10:09:00.000-05:00

Classic coordinate -- dusty rose and burgundy paired with ivory!

This past weekend, the Metroplex lolita group had a little meetup at a local sweets shop called Sweet Mix! This place sells elaborate crepes, waffles, bubble tea, and other scrumptious treats. I picked up some non-dairy bubble tea and chatted with both old and new faces -- this meetup had a huge turnout!

I wore one of my first-ever dresses from Bodyline. It's sort of a rosy pink color, and I sometimes have difficulty matching it with things, but as I was looking for my favorite brown heels, I saw these burgundy ones peeking out at me. Perfect! I grabbed them and this deep red purse and I was in business. I would have preferred to have red at least one other place in my outfit, but I didn't have a hair accessory that was more of a deep red. Next time!

I've also been dying to wear this blouse since I bought it a few weeks ago. The collar has beautiful pearls sewn in. It's hard to believe it's from Forever 21 (except for how sheer it is).

Outfit Details

Headband: Forever 21 | Wig: Arda Wigs | Blouse: Forever 21 | Dress: Bodyline

Purse: Forever 21 | Shoes: ModCloth | Bracelets: Forever 21 and The Limited

Shout out to Meci for taking these great photos for me!

After eating our fill of sweet snacks, we traveled outside and spread out blankets to set out our undesired items and swap and sell! I wound up scooping up a few goodies -- a new skirt, wrist cuffs (which I am wearing in these photos!), a cute handmade alpaca pin and the cutest shrug ever. I also managed to sell a little bit, hooray! Like I've said before, I really see my lolita style shifting to be a little more classic than super saccharine sweet, and selling off my old items is helping me transition over.

Our group -- a few people had just left, so this wasn't all of us. Everyone looks great!

It was really great to see everyone, as well as met some new people! I am moving so soon that I may not see many of these ladies (and gentleman) again for a while. It's a little bittersweet, but I am happy that our community has grown so large in the time I've been here.

Daily Outfit: Stay Gold

2013-04-22T09:00:00.000-05:00

I got a new dress! I've really been in love with these sleeveless A-line skater dresses lately, and luckily every store seems to have their own version. This pretty little number is from Forever 21, and it's one of the highest quality items I've gotten from there. The dress is fully lined and made out of a really structured, thick material. I love the detail in the back, too!

As usual, I styled it pretty simply with brown and gold accessories. This was just a simple outfit to run errands and go to class. Despite how simple this outfit is, this dress demands attention! I received compliments all day -- and that's always nice!

Outfit Details

Dress: Forever 21 | Necklace: Forever 21 (gift) | Belt: from another dress | Shoes: ModCloth

Daily Outfit: Spring has Sprung

2013-04-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

As the weather warms up, I'm feeling inspired by my closet again. Dreary, rainy, windy wintery weather makes it so difficult to want to dress for anything other than survival. (Is that overdramatic? I try not to hate the cold, but I really, really do.) It's so nice to finally pack away my tights and pull out colors other than black.

As usual, Texas has skipped a season and gone straight to summer (we went from 40 and raining to 85 and sunny overnight). I'm enjoying it though, since it won't be long before temperatures reach over 100 degrees!

I really like this outfit because the base is fairly simple, but I can mix it up with accessories for different looks. I tend to go for gold accessories since I rarely get to wear them, but I love having a lot of different options. The combination of the belt, skirt, and cardigan is also a really flattering look for taller, pear-shaped girls like myself. It can be really difficult to find a skirt that hits at the waist (or in this case, a little higher) and is still long enough.

My nails match my outfit!

Outfit Details:

Cardigan, Cami: Target | Skirt: Thrifted in San Francisco | Belt: Came with a dress

Shoes: Steve Madden (Similar) | Necklace: The Limited (Similar) | Earrings: Forever 21

Are you celebrating spring where you live?

P.S. -- I recently added a label for spring, summer, fall, and winter, to sort outfits by season! I feel like this will mostly be for my own reference, but I think it's really fun!

Mani Monday: Nude with a Sparkle

2013-04-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

OPI Samoan Sand and Forever 21 glitter polish

Despite my fairly sizable nail polish collection, I don't actually bother painting my nails that often. This is something I'd like to change, so I'll be sharing my manicures here. I hope it'll encourage me to try some new techniques and use the nail polishes I have.

To begin, I knew I wanted to paint my nails in a soft nude color, but I wanted something a little more exciting. I saw a few ideas on Pinterest (here and here) that paired nude with glitter, and so I pulled out the glitter and got to work!

This was my first time using this color by OPI, and while I like the shade, it took over 4 coats to reach full opacity. It also applied streaky and overall gave me issues with application. I will have to see if I can troubleshoot this polish the next time I use it.

I love the way the sparkles turned out and they were surprisingly easy to do! Glitter polish is pretty forgiving that way.

Linking up today with Mani Monday and The Nail Files!

Do you paint your nails often?

Style Icon: Ramona Flowers

2013-04-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

I've been wanting to start a series where I construct outfits based on characters that are sartorially inspiring. This is the first post in my Style Icon series!

If you couldn't tell by now, I adore Ramona Flowers from the Scott Pilgrim series. Aside from being a wonderful character, she also has mad style. So, if you've ever wanted to possess Ramona Flowers' style, look no further! I'll talk about some elements of Ramona's style and then show some example outfits I put together.

Ramona Flowers' Signature Style

Bright hair and bold colors

Ramona Flowers is known for her rapidly changing hair colors and hair cuts -- anything from hot pink to bright blue to teal. If you want to try out being Ramona for a day, try a wig (either from Ebay or my personal favorite, Arda Wigs). If you are looking for a bolder everyday look, Manic Panic hair color is the way to go!

Ramona also coordinates her current hair color with her outfit, so be sure to match your hair to your clothes!

Interesting jackets, boots, and layers

Living in Canada, jackets, boots, and layering are utilitarian, but Ramona has exceptionally cute items! From military to leather, Ramona is always rocking an adorable coat, and she has an enviable boot collection. Combined with her innate sense of layering, Ramona's outfits are always complex and interesting to look at.

Unique tights and socks

From roller derby-esque socks to brightly colored tights, Ramona is not afraid to make a statement with legwear. If you are feeling timid, start with black leggings or tights under a skirt, but if you are feeling more daring, try knee socks, patterned leggings, or neon tights.

Signature accessories

Ramona is always seen with a small black choker necklace (revealed by actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead to be her deceased brother's shoelaces). Ramona also loves stars, and the motif appears on her subspace purse as well as in hair accessories and on a ring she wears occasionally. Choose your own signature motif and incorporate it into your outfits.

Ramona-Inspired Outfits

Amazon.ca Delivery Girl
Jacket | Shorts | Similar Tights | Button

This first outfit is based on something Ramona would wear to deliver packages for Amazon.ca. Start with this tongue-in-cheek hipster shirt (a throwback to a shirt Ramona wears in the comics) and add some color with bright shorts and tights. Throw on a varsity letterman jacket and a comfortable hat with a Sex Bob-Omb pin and you're all set to skate through the subspace highway.

Ramona's Finest Hour

This look is an updated version of Ramona's ensemble in the final volume of Scott Pilgrim (and the one I made a costume of!). First, I was inspired by these galaxy print leggings. Build the look with a fuschia skater dress, then balance out the girliness of the outfit with leather combat boots and a biker jacket. For accessories, I chose Ramona's signature subspace purse and a black necklace, representing her choker. I thought today's Ramona Flowers might try out ombre hair in fun colors like pink and purple!

Seven Evil Exes

This outfit is a reimagining of the olive green shirt dress that Mary Elizabeth Winstead wears in the movie version. To keep the same utilitarian feel, I chose a bold military-style jacket as the focal piece for the look. To keep it comfy and casual, layer a soft grey hoodie and a denim skirt with plain black leggings and worn-in black boots. Complete the look with your subspace purse. Although Ramona never has pure white hair in the comics or movie, I think it would be a fun change and it fits nicely with this outfit. This is the perfect outfit for going out and running into an ex (or two!).

What is your favorite aspect of Ramona's style?

Cosplay: Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim (Volume 6)

2013-04-03T10:00:00.000-05:00

In my cosplay series, I examine each costume I make, how I created it, what I would do differently, and so on! For more cosplay posts, just look in the cosplay tag here.

Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim Volume 6: Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour!

It's been a while since I've done a cosplay post! There always seems to be a convention dry season after summer conventions, even though there are quite a few. This year, I wasn't able to go to All-Con, Dallas Sci Fi Expo, Anime Matsuri, or (in the future) Dallas Comic Con! Bad timing on each convention. So until my next convention all the way in June, I'll be working on costumes and bringing my cosplay page up to date.

The first costume we have is Miss Ramona Flowers! I absolutely love how this costume turned out.

Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim

After seeing the Scott Pilgrim movie, I went back and read the series... and I loved it! While the movie was great, the comic books go into the characters more, especially Ramona. I love the story, the video game and nerd culture references, and the humor. Ramona is one of my favorite characters because she's such a style icon! Aside from that, she also has a warm heart.

Conventions

Ikkicon 2012
Also seen in this video, this post, and this post

Materials

Wig: Arda Wigs Jaguar in Teal, styled by me
Star Clip: Handmade from felt
Leather Jacket: Ebay (Only $10!)
Dress: Handmade, using Cynthia Rowley 1873 pattern
Subspace bag: Ebay (You can get your own here!)
Boots: DSW

I like...

I sewed this dress in about 2 days, and it turned out wonderful for my first-ever dress! It's not perfect, but there aren't very many mistakes in the final product. It's very comfortable, too -- this is one of my most comfortable costumes.

I think the wig is really fun, too! I love the color and the style. Also, the jacket and bag are now both in regular rotation in my wardrobe. I love cosplay pieces you can wear, too!

I don't like...

I didn't have a hammer! Honestly, there isn't anything else I didn't like about this costume.

Next time, I'll...

I have plans to make a hammer (or maybe two?!) to use. I'd love to add more details as I come up with them. I also plan to learn more about cosplay makeup this year and I want Ramona to have a bolder look.

Social Media: How to use Pinterest as a Visual Bookmarking System

2013-04-02T10:00:00.000-05:00

Once Upon a Time...

Pinterest is the fastest-growing social network out there, and I have to admit it -- at first, I couldn't see why. Pinterest is like a virtual pinboard, allowing you to add any online item or image as a "pin" on whatever board you want. I felt like I already had a similar service with Tumblr, and remained unconvinced.

A little while later, when I was transferring most of my data to the cloud on services like Dropbox and Evernote, I realized what I could use Pinterest for: visual bookmarks.

My Pinterest boards... so far!

Visual Bookmarks

Let me explain what I mean about visual bookmarks. Essentially, Pinterest has replaced my "favorites" folder as well as the piles of images I had stored on my computer. How, you ask? Simple!

Instead of folders upon folders titled "Fashion," "Cute," or "Yummy Food," I use Pinterest to upload files and have a full view of all the aesthetics and images I've drawn inspiration from recently. Also, instead of saving unorganized browser bookmarks, I just add a pin to Pinterest under the appropriate board. The images are also a good reminder of what is inside each link.

I find this approach works a lot better for me than only browsing Pinterest and repinning things from others. It's more customized for what I am into and I no longer store links and images in multiple locations -- bookmarks bar, image folders, Twitter favorites, etc.

Why it Works

I love that I can see at a glance what I have been into lately. If I am pinning a lot of big poofy skirts, it's a big indicator that I should look for one! If I am pinning a lot of coral, I know it's my color for spring.

Using Pinterest exclusively keeps everything organized. Gone are the days of bookmarks, storing links in Twitter and Tumblr favorites, or keeping documents with link after link! No more do I have to save images in massive folders!

I was clearly having a mermaid phase at one point!

It's available from any computer. I am a huge fan of cloud storage and using Pinterest is very similar.

Pinterest keeps the original source. If you've ever saved an image to your computer and later lamented that you didn't save the place you found it from, no fear! Since Pinterest stores links and images, you no longer have to go hunting for the source.

Tips and Tricks for Making Excellent Pinboards

Be as specific with your boards. Do you want a board dedicated to 1920s fashion, full of inspiring images, sewing patterns, and dresses on your wishlist? What about creating a board for a specific cosplay you are working on, with everything from cosplay materials to reference images to DIY tutorials? The possibilities are truly endless and the more specific you are, the more your boards can work for you.

Don't feel obligated to follow all your friends. Pinterest seems to really want you to follow your Facebook friends, but a lot of my friends have vastly different interests than I do! Part of the reason Pinterest didn't originally appeal to me is because it was all about crafting and children -- not really up my alley. Instead...

Yummy food pins for before grocery shopping!

Follow those who inspire you and have similar aesthetics. I follow everyone from bloggers to big brands to specific boards I like. This way, my home page is full of things I want to see!

Use hashtags and search terms. This is especially useful if you are looking for a new recipe, how to style a certain item of clothing, or pins on a specific topic!

Pin from other sites. Don't just stay on Pinterest, add to the collection with other sites you love or stumble on.

What do you use Pinterest for?

Let me know in the comments and feel free to follow me if you like my boards!

Life According to Instagram

2013-03-29T11:24:00.000-05:00

While I get back into the blogging swing, I thought I'd do a quick little Instagram post since I've still been active there!

Life lately has been...

Midterm exams

I'm in my last semester of my undergraduate degree, and midterms hit hard! Taking 18 hours wasn't so difficult until all my exams and essays were in a single week. I spent a lot of time at Starbucks that week.

Sewing a whole costume in 5 days

Immediately after midterms, I set out to sew my Tamara costume during spring break! It's not abnormal for me to be under a tight costume deadline, but I was really close to not finishing in time. I think the costume turned out great! (More on that later!)

Repo! The Genetic Opera and The Devil's Carnival

The reason I made the costume in the first place was for the double feature with Repo and The Devil's Carnival! I wanted to have the costume ready for the show, which was on St. Patrick's Day -- even more reason to wear lots of green.

Spring colors!

I've organized all my closets, including setting aside some room for all my costumes! The weather was also warm enough for bare legs a few days (yay!).

... And back to winter chills

I got excited a little too quickly at the idea of spring, because just like that, we are back into freezing temperatures. Boo! Although it's starting to warm up again... maybe it'll actually be spring soon.

Oral surgery

I got my last baby tooth taken out. It was scary since it was my first surgery (that I was old enough to remember, anyway), but it wasn't too bad. It's a little strange to finally say goodbye to my last baby tooth.

What I Did: Ann Humphreys Hooping Workshop

2013-03-26T14:40:00.000-05:00

It may sound silly, but my little plastic circle has taught me a lot of valuable life lessons.

Like, it's okay not to be perfect. Keep trying anyway.

Or, taking time to make yourself happy will make your work better.

I am constantly surprised by the meditative and teaching qualities my hoop offers me. Maybe it's because hooping is an activity where I'm not stressing about anything else. Maybe it's because hooping allows me to be a work-in-progress. Maybe it's that hooping, for me, is not about money, or grades, or anything else quantifiable. Whatever the reason may be, I have learned many lessons in the hoop that translate to the rest of my life as well.

This past weekend, I went to Ann Humphreys' workshop in Dallas, and I learned another lesson: Community changes everything for the better.

I have been mostly self-taught when it comes to hooping. I would love to take classes and go to workshops, of course, but I had a hard time finding the time and money to budget for that. I occasionally attend events or meet up with friends, but for the most part, I hoop alone. For me, hoop practice was solo time, and that was okay.

When I heard Ann was coming, I did not want to miss out on gleaning from such a valuable and experienced teacher. I knew I'd try new techniques, but I wasn't expecting to have a completely new way of looking at my hobby. My perspective on how I view the hoop, how I view my body within it -- all totally changed. Ann is truly a wonderful teacher.

More than just techniques, however, was the community at these workshops. I met hoopers, some old friends, some new, and we all had our own way of finding the hoop. Some of us could never dance but the hoop set our creative talents free, while others are long-time performers and artists who found a physical form of expression. The people at these workshops were diverse, talented, and open about their experiences.

Talking with each person, hearing their story of how hooping benefited them, reminded me that it's okay to ask for help. It's okay to learn from others, to ask them how they see things.

To the many hoopers I spoke to, had lunch with, and shared personal stories with, thank you.

P.S. - I know I've been missing lately, blogging just didn't feel right! I should be back for good now, thanks for your patience with everything.

Food: Gourdough's Public House

2013-02-22T10:00:00.000-06:00

I don't usually do restaurant reviews, but I feel like I have lately been to many interesting eateries lately and I want to share! Yes and Yes' 9 Days of Nice series got me thinking about contributing more to the businesses I really believe in, so why not start with the much-loved topic of food?

So, first up: Gourdough's Public House! This bar/restaurant is in Austin and is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

Colby and I, already fans of the trailer version of Gourdough's, decided to stop by the new restaurant location for a quick lunch before our Mount Bonnell date. First, the atmosphere is great. I can see it being a cozy, lively bar in the evenings, but during daytime hours, it is equally as comfortable. From what I could tell, they have some drink specials and events on a near-day basis. It's a casual interior -- kind of rustic, and you seat yourself.

The Ron Burgundy.

We were already prepared for ridiculous portions and excess -- each menu item is prepared with at least one doughnut, typically savory, not sweet. So, sandwiches have doughnuts for buns, biscuits are actually doughnut holes... and even the mozzarella sticks are made with doughnut dough. Absolutely extravagant!

I opted for the Ron Burgundy (minus bacon, sub veggie patty) and it was excellent. Topped with cheese, an egg, and sandwiched between two doughnuts. Ridiculous? Yes. Delicious? More than you could imagine.

The Dirty South.

My boyfriend ordered the Dirty South, which is a chicken fried steak on top of a doughnut-biscuit and gravy, with a topping of cranberry-habenero jelly. He said it was great and the jelly was surprisingly good.

Overall, we both really liked our experience at Gourdough's. If you are looking for a unique meal with little regard for health, Gourdough's is definitely worth a visit!

What's the most absurd food you've ever eaten?

Daily Outfit: Foxy

2013-02-19T10:00:00.000-06:00

I LOVE animal print sweaters. They are so quirky-cute and I just can't handle it. I have been lusting after them for a while, but holding out for one at a lower price point. Enter: this Target sweaterdress.

Yes, it's a sweaterdress, but I bought it knowing I would probably never wear it by itself. My figure makes sweaterdresses incredibly short on me and I don't like the way they cling. Wearing a sweaterdress instead of a sweater has its advantages though! On cold days, though, this sweaterdress is a blessing -- an extra layer of warmth all the way to my legs.

I've worn this foxy sweater to work (with a more conservative skirt, alone or topped with a blazer) and casually, and I love it just the same for either situation. It's also a comfortable sweater -- not itchy or anything like that. I'm seriously in love.

Outfit Details:

Sweaterdress: Target | Necklace: Forever 21 | Skirt: Target | Tights: GAP | Boots: Chinese Laundry

Today, I paired it with pearls and a mullet skirt. I love mullet skirts so much that my first was actually a DIY one I made myself (tutorial here!) but I love the color and pleats of this Target skirt.

Other ways I have worn this skirt include with black for a party and with white, semi-casually.

Do you wear dresses as separate pieces?

What I Did: Mount Bonnell Mini-Date

2013-02-15T10:00:00.000-06:00

The view from up there is simply incredible!

Mount Bonnell is the highest point in Austin and provides a breathtaking view of the lake and city. After our Valentine's Day date, Colby took me on the fairly short trek up the hill the following day.

The lake, the sky, the trees! All so gorgeous.

It is hard to capture in photos how serene this view really is. The weather was perfect -- a little chilly, but not too cold. We took my DSLR to take some nice photos from the summit and I am so glad we did.

It is crazy how large some of the hillside houses are.

Colby and I at the top!

I definitely opted for comfy and easy to move in for this little hike. Aside from my gym shoes, these boots are actually easiest to walk in. I also wanted to be a little bundled up for the weather but not too hot, so the cardigan worked perfectly.

Me at the top of Mount Bonnell.

Outfit Details

Hat: Plato's Closet | Cardigan: Target | Sushi tank top: Forever 21 | Jeans: Express | Boots: DSW

I also took a short video at the summit to show the full view. Enjoy!

Daily Outfit: Valentine's Day

2013-02-14T10:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I actually wore this last Saturday, but who's counting?

Since Colby and I live in different cities, we had to plan our Valentine's Day date a little bit early. Colby took me out to a nice dinner and to see Master Pancake Theater! (If you are ever in Austin, you have to see them! It's like Mystery Science Theater 3000 but live, and they guys who run it are so funny!)

I decided to wear this cute, retro red dress I got from Saver's last month. I knew when I bought it that I would need to raise the hemline a little bit, but I didn't realize exactly how long it was till I saw these photos! (Or maybe Colby is just too much taller than I am?) Either way, I want to hem it before I wear it again.

Aside from that, it was the perfect breezy, cute outfit for dinner and walking to the theater, and appropriately festive for the holiday.

Outfit Details

Dress: Thrifted (originally Kenneth Cole Reaction) | Shoes: ModCloth

(P.S. -- If you have never shopped at ModCloth, you can get $15 off by using this link! Enjoy!)

What I Did: Lady Gaga Born This Way Ball

2013-02-12T10:00:00.000-06:00

Vintage Mia! At the Monster Ball in 2010.

I went to Lady Gaga's Monster Ball tour several years back, and I honestly consider it life-changing. I am always wary of saying that because it can sound so trite. Really? A pop concert changed your life?

It's not just the music, though, it's the experience. It's the show as a whole, the environment of acceptance, and the message of "It's okay to be who you are." It feels impossible to explain how it impacted me, but luckily, everyone at the Born This Way Ball knew what I was talking about.

My original ticket.

The Monster Ball took place during the summer before I started college. Now, as I am gearing up to graduate in May, it seemed appropriate that the Born This Way Ball should come through town.

Hollie and I!

Waiting in the rain.

I knew when I bought my ticket that I would be waiting in line all day to get inside the Monster Pit. I didn't have money for decent seats this time around, and I had no issue hanging out downtown all day.

On the morning of the show in the cold rain, we arrived fully dressed, made up, and ready to go at 8 am. I wore something similar to last time around, but I added Judas makeup and a bandana to make it a little more updated.

At first, we didn't get pit passes. I decided to wait around anyway with my friends, who all had floor seats, and a few hours later, I was gifted a Monster Pit pass by someone I'd just met that morning. There were less than 250 Monster Pit passes given away that morning, so I was incredibly lucky.

Mary and I! Love her blue lipstick.

Instagramming in the bathroom.

Other Little Monsters who woke up early to wait in line.

That kind of giving, loving, caring environment was present all day, from people who offered costume pieces as blankets for those taking naps to the group that offered my friend without money a slice of their pizza. Not to mention -- everyone looked fabulous.

A highway unicorn!

This is how close I was to the stage!

The concert started with a few opening acts, including a DJ named Madeon who had a really great set. I loved his little LED cube that lit up to his music.

And when Gaga took the stage, she owned it. She is such a ham, but she really is a talented performer and thankful for her fans. I love her music, but her showmanship takes it to the next level. Even if you don't like her music, you have to admit she puts on one hell of a show.

In addition to all of her costuming, dancing, and live singing, she also has a message of self-love and self-acceptance that really resonates with me. Lady Gaga is unabashedly herself and she inspires me to do the same.

Everyone behind me!

Seeing Gaga in the Monster Pit was incredible. Not only did I make friends inside the pit and in the line, but I was so close to all the action! As always, Lady Gaga puts on an excellent show, and The Monster Pit is truly the best way to see it.

Here's a slideshow of all my photos, there were just too many to include them all in the post!

What I Did: Emilie Autumn F.L.A.G. Tour

2013-02-09T19:04:00.000-06:00

About a year ago, when I was still performing with Amber Does Dallas, the creators of Repo! The Genetic Opera announced a new project called The Devil's Carnival. We didn't know much about it yet, but we did know that Emilie Autumn, a performer with a cult following, was set as one of the actors. To promote the film, I went with a couple other girls from cast.

Since Emilie is a fan of Victorian-era fashion, I borrowed a friend's corset and wore one of my favorite lolita skirts and called it a day. You can't tell from the photo, but it was freezing outside! I was surprised that most everyone was wearing black at the concert since Emilie herself is a fan of cream, pink, white, red..

Blast from the past with Rebekah! I feel like I've aged a lot since then.

This year, we went back to her show to promote the new episode of TDC. It's so funny, last year nobody had heard of The Devil's Carnival, and this year most of the people at the concert did! It was radical to see what a change a year made.

I went with my dear circus friend Scully, and we brought our LED hoops to play with before the show started. Emilie's aesthetic is like a Victorian spectacle, so last year, there was fire hooping, aerial arts, stilt walking, and fan dancing... very circus!

Hell hasn't got a prayer!

I went a lot more casual this year since last year I felt almost overdressed (plus I knew I would be hooping). I also came straight from work so no wigs or petticoats! Scully put her 'hawk up for the occasion.

The show was equally fun both times and I am grateful to Scully for giving me her extra ticket. If Emilie is coming through your town, I would recommend going if you are into corsets, circus arts, or even just looking for an alternative way to have a good time.

Daily Outfit: Lolita Evolution

2013-01-30T10:00:00.000-06:00

I am such a sassmaster in that top photo!

I wore this lolita outfit to hang out with a few friends in frills!

I wasn't sure what to wear since I loved the outfit I wore to the last meetup so much. I find myself drifting away from super-saccharine lolita looks, but I like the way this plain white dress pairs with a few touches of pink. This dress is so versatile. I love remixing it for different styles of lolita. As an added bonus, my new sunglasses matched!

It's sad, I have so many cute dresses going unworn in my closet -- it's time to go through and sell some older pieces soon. Style evolutions can be really fun and I love to try new things, but it's also really frustrating when you look in your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear!

Outfit Details:

How do you cope with a style evolution?

Social Media: Gym-Pact App

2013-01-28T10:00:00.000-06:00

I have followed Gym-Pact's story since the beginning -- it started as the brainchild of two Harvard students, who created the concept for a project. After graduation, they launched it! It was originally just for iPhone, so I waited patiently, and on New Year's Day, the Android version came out.

Screencaps courtesy of my new Galaxy S III!

Essentially, Gym-Pact rewards you for going to the gym. You check in to your gym/yoga studio/silks class or go running outside, and then if you hit your goal number of visits by the end of the week, you get paid! It's a gamble, though -- if you miss a workout for the week, you get fined (which pays the winners).

Gym-Pact has some incredible success rates -- people who use Gym-Pact meet their workout goals 90% of the time. Pretty incredible, right?

You choose how many days to go each week and what your stakes are for missing a workout.

I've been using it the past few weeks for silks and yoga, and so far, so good! I haven't had any major issues with it. I can't say for sure if it's motivating me to work out more, but I will say that it's fun to earn a little extra cash for going anyway.

If you work out consistently or need an extra push to start, definitely check it out! And, if you use my sign up code, dumbbMiaMo, we each earn a $5 bonus after your first workout!

M i a M o o r e

Guest Post: Letters and Care Packages

Daily Outfit: Class of 2013

Honors Convocation

Commencement

Metroplex Lolitas Twinning Meetup

Have you ever matched outfits with someone else?

Love is Sweet Giveaway!

The prizes are...

How to Enter

Cosplay: Female Engineer from Team Fortress 2

Female Engineer from Team Fortress 2

Conventions

Materials

I like...

I don't like...

Next time, I'll...

Cosplay: Tamara from The Devil's Carnival

Tamara from The Devil's Carnival

Events

Materials

I like...

I don't like...

Next time, I'll...

e.l.f. Haul + Review

Vegan, Cruelty-Free Makeup?

Foundation and Concealer

Primers and Potions

Eyes

Lips

I'm an e.l.f. Convert!

Have you tried e.l.f. before? What did you think?

Cosplay 101: Detangling a Cosplay Wig

Do you have any wig care or cosplay questions?

Lolita: Sweet Mix Swap Meet

Daily Outfit: Stay Gold

Daily Outfit: Spring has Sprung

Are you celebrating spring where you live?

Mani Monday: Nude with a Sparkle

Do you paint your nails often?

Style Icon: Ramona Flowers

Ramona Flowers' Signature Style

Bright hair and bold colors

Interesting jackets, boots, and layers

Unique tights and socks

Signature accessories

Ramona-Inspired Outfits

What is your favorite aspect of Ramona's style?

Cosplay: Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim (Volume 6)

Ramona Flowers from Scott Pilgrim

Conventions

Materials

I like...

I don't like...

Next time, I'll...

Social Media: How to use Pinterest as a Visual Bookmarking System

Once Upon a Time...

Visual Bookmarks

Why it Works

Tips and Tricks for Making Excellent Pinboards

What do you use Pinterest for?

Life According to Instagram

What I Did: Ann Humphreys Hooping Workshop

Food: Gourdough's Public House

What's the most absurd food you've ever eaten?

Daily Outfit: Foxy

Do you wear dresses as separate pieces?

What I Did: Mount Bonnell Mini-Date

Daily Outfit: Valentine's Day

What I Did: Lady Gaga Born This Way Ball

What I Did: Emilie Autumn F.L.A.G. Tour

Daily Outfit: Lolita Evolution

How do you cope with a style evolution?

Social Media: Gym-Pact App

Do you have any favorite apps?