Summer Internship Start!

Yesterday, I had my orientation for my summer internship. I posted about getting the internship earlier in my End of Term post. The tl;dr version is that I have a 6 week unpaid summer internship with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. I'll be working in the Public Office; I can't wait to work out the details of the projects that I'll be helping with.

Read more for the preparation that I put into the orientation.


They sent us an email about dress, making sure to keep it professional. I wanted my first outfit to show that I took this seriously while following their rules for dress code. But I also wanted to show my coworkers that I had a sense of style. So here's what I was wearing and carrying with me:

Do you like that everything is in cool colors? I can't seem to help myself! I always end up getting blue and green things.

Earlier in May, I made a large purchase of spring semi-professional clothing. I assumed that the internship would expect attire that respected the summer heat but maintained professional standards. I got this particular dress from Marshalls. It had a large stain on it so it had been marked down; it was great for me since I hemmed the dress, cutting off all evidence of the stain.

This is the purse I recently got for the internship. I didn't think that any of my day purses were large enough or professional enough. I wanted to have a larger purse for carrying paperwork and supplies that still looked professional-cute. I'll likely do a post on the purse, reviewing it and saying how it holds up to a week or two of use.

Here's what I packed inside of it:

• Folder for requested information
• Notepad and planner
• Tea (not shown)
• Pencil case
• Phone
• Mini make up case

I'm so amazingly thankful for my summer internship. I can't wait to share with you all the things that I learn. I worked hard to make a good impression and I hope that it paid off.

Cuter Electronics: Wireless Mouse

I'd suggest add on mice for laptops. They have all sorts of designs; often laptop tablets are a pain for your hands after hours of scrolling through tumblr. I should know.

Logitech Wireless Mouse

$29

There are lots of designs to choose from, these and more. They also cary these at Target, but I think that Amazon has more designs to choose from via the comfort of your home. 

I'd recommend this, a pleasure of easy use. These all have very good reviews, as far as comfort for the hands and a long battery life. I have this sort and picked it up at Target right before the start of the year. The mouse works quite well as far as tracking movement and has kept it's battery since I first purchased it. Plus you can turn the mouse off to save the battery life. For storage, you can store the USB in the mouse to keep from losing it. 

What's super fun is that if you and a friend get this type of mouse, the two of you can trade off. Watch out for your friend to pull pranks on you if you don't keep track of when your mouse is plugged in.


Hello Kitty Mouse and pad
$25

Logitech Wireless mouse with larger USB
$20

The only difference between this and the one above is that this one has a larger USB and slightly lower price. Once again: you can store the USB in the mouse; enjoy long battery life and easy use; get via amazon quick shipping.

Microsoft Elegant Type 

$33

I figured that this would be a great mouse for the elegant modern types, the types who like to imagine that they are in Star Trek, reboot or old school. 

Wacom Bamboo Pen Tablet Alternative
$65

This is a super cheap tablet, especially considering the specs that this tablet boasts. With pressure sensitivity, you can uses this for drawing or just internet surfing. Artsy types have been using tablets for a long time; this type comes with a good recommendation even for drawing.  This comes with some software in particular ArtRange software. If the software isn't enough, there are plenty of free online softwares for drawing. Make sure you get drawing programs that recognize pressure sensitivity to take full advantage of the tech you're paying for.

New purse

I finally got a new purse!

This is a big deal because I'm the sort that uses the same purse for everything on all of the days. I don't switch up my purses for different outfits. So it's a very big commitment for me to buy a new purse; it's basically a two year promise to that purse to complete loving.

I got this purse from Mod Cloth. ($55)

It's a lovely mint color of false leather. The lovely color didn't translate into these photos very well but it's a very bright color. Let's open it up!

Even the top is a compartment. I'm not too sure of what you would put in here as it could only really store paper. 

The purse has a handle and detachable shoulder strap, for whichever way of carrying is prefered.

 I love the beautiful gold detailing and hardware; it really adds a little classic elegance to an unusual color purse.

But the lining keeps it playful. I adore the bright colors and silk. The pattern has cute little owls.
You can also see that it has some cute pockets on the inside. One zippered, two loose as well as the outside pocket.

Here's a look of what's usually in my purse.

This is my old purse.

I love this purse. I relied upon it very heavily my freshman year at MIT. And it served me well. It's actually very funny, because a girl in my orientation group had the same purse in a different material. Mine is a worked leather; hers was a fuzzy green fabric. Commenting on our matching purses was the start of one of my closest friendships; turned out she was in the same freshman advising program.

The problem was that it falls off of my shoulder when I'm wearing a winter jacket.

Here's a secret: You wear a winter jacket a lot when you live in Boston.

So I wanted to get an over the shoulder bag that wouldn't fall off. I've seen the pastel trend for bags all over the lolita fashion community, but I didn't think that a pastel pink heart shaped bag would quite do it for my everyday needs. Something that was a lovely pastel and would go with a lot of my blue themed basics, that was my goal.

I was going through ModCloth and saw this purse. I simply had to have it, especially since there were less than 10 left. I made the purchase and am totally happy with it.

There are some similar styles from Mod Cloth to check out.


Upwardly Mobile Satchel in Mint ($175)

Amethyst is it Bag ($63)

Mint Me Tonight Bag ($65)

Cuter Electronics: Cell Phone Straps

With my phone case, I actually don't use cell phone cases. But I used to so much during high school. I got really into them. Do you remember in Lucky Star when they talk about the girls getting strong arms because of their cell phones?
That was me!

I had so many. I loved getting my favorite characters from animes at cons. I'd switch them out based on what I was watching!

I gave the charms all away once I got the iPhone since the iPhone doesn't have a loop for charms, which was actually a big complaint I had when I first got the phone.

The one charm that I did keep I put on my camera. It's nice to have Miku keep me company when I'm filming.



This is the most similar thing that I could quickly find.

If you want to get cell phone charms, try these shops.


Tiger and white kitten charm DIY
$17

For those of you that are into crafts and needle craft, this is a cute kit for you to make your own kitten charms.


Kawaii Shop
$5- $25

I love this shop and use it often for stationary and pencil cases. The cell phone charms are under "For Mobiles." My favorites are product codes: AY-83X01(shown above), AY-45401, AY-72801, and MK-2681X


I think that MK has to be my favorite since it's also a screen cleaner! When cute and use meet one another I get so happy.

Fluff ball with bells
$8

This charm is so cute! It looks super cute. The shop has good feedback, even if there are only 6 reviews.

Lovely flower charm
$6, $10

These two charms are so cute. They come from the same shop which has a great sense of cute and sweetness. I don't know how I would choose. This must be the reason why I ended up with so many charms before.

Asuka Inspired Nails

I did some Asuka themed nails. Check out the figurines of her that I have on this post!

I'm sorry that I'm not very good with nail art. Someone with more skill, please, do this with more skill!

Still, I think that this design looks super cute.

I used three colors based on her plug suit: Red, Green, and Gold.

The red is by Elf.
Green is Sally Henson Insta-Dry.
Gold is so old I don't even know what it is. It's very old and kind of towards the end of it's life so I think I'm going to get a new gold color soon.



First, I did a two coats in the red color, to get a strong base.

Then, I used scotch tape to section a diagonal along my nail.  I also went to desk, so there's a different background in my picture...
A suggestion for using tape on cheap nail polish: rub the tape along your jeans or any fabric to remove some of the stickiness. The less sticky tape will still stop overlap of paint but won't pull off the coat underneath.
I painted with gold and quickly removed the tape.

I carefully taped out a V for the green section on the collar of Asuka's plug suit. Painted with green and quickly removed the tape.

I also did a design on the ring finger with the same method and colors but different design.
Finished up with a top coat. Look at the final product! I think that this would be a great look for fall.

Cuter Electronics: Cell Phone Case

View the Video

Site one
Price: $60

My phone:

Other designs:

My absolute favorite! I got mine a long time ago and so the style is no longer offered. I am in absolute love with this little leather phone case and it's held up so well. I was hesitant about the price, especially since the black case that came with my phone broke within a week. I was super worried that this expensive case would break but have found it well worth the price. It's kept my phone case in my purse and through more than a few accidental drops. It always brings a smile to my face when I take out my phone to know that my phone is safe and beautiful. The best thing about this is that even when the flip case is closed you can still use headphones or the microphones. Not to mention all the compliments that I get on it, even in class, on the T, and at parties.

Her shop is full of wonderful designs. Please check them out! It will bring a little opulence to even the act of checking your email on the go.

You can track your package which is great since these products are shipping from so far away. She packs things very well, no concerns about anything getting broken while shipping. Great feedback and I'd recc her to everyone!

Site two
Price: $39

This site features gorgeous leather work. They have so many great leather pieces.
I'm not personally a fan of phone sleeves since I'm always worried about the phone falling out but think that these are very cute. Plus they say that iPhones are a super tight fit.


Site three
Price: $15 - $25

My favorite decora shop. They even have holiday ones! Lots of positive feed back too, so you know that you can trust the shop. Plus she includes some extra sparkles in case anything falls off due to use. I think my favorite is the green Chanel case.


Site four
Price: $16- $35

If you still need more decora, this is another good site. The have crazy cute Sailor Moon decora cases. What's even more cool about this shop is that 10% of all order's cost goes to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. Isn't that great? You can look cute and know that you're doing a good deed.


Site five
Price: $4

I think that this fake camera case is super cute! It does ship from Hong Kong which will take a long time to get to you. But the quality is quite nice and the case is lined to protect your phone, even as you slide it in. Based on the reviews, this will get you a lot of compliments!

Site six
Price: $16- $40

These cases are so extreme- look at this giant Little Mermaid case! Or this My Little Pony case!
I don't know if I could handle this much sparkle but they do have more subtle cases. The studded ones look so cool and rebellious. My favorite has to be the lacy ones. I think I might get this style for the summer, hmmmm.
Another shop that ships from Hong Kong, but once again has lots of positive feedback.



Do you remember when the bunny ear cases were super popular? Or those plastic character ones? Like Stitch or Minnie Mouse?

I wonder what the new phone case trends will be for 2013....

New Year! New Look!

Sorry that the quality is so low; I think I need to buy a new camera.
Can you believe that I've been shooting videos on the same camera all this time?

New Year! New Look!

Yesterday, I went with a friend to the Boston Ballet's Nutcracker.

We got dressed up to go! We were very worried about what would be appropriate to wear, even if the Boston Ballet doesn't have a dress code. My friend didn't really want to get dressed up since it was storming earlier in the day. Boston has way to much rain, especially after getting back from Miami.

Here's what I wore:

This coat is from Fan plus Friend. I really do love it; it's very warm. It has lovely corset detailing on the back. The coat has removable fur which makes it a good changing piece from OTT lolita to dressy wear. It was super sweet when a lady complimented me on it at the ballet. 

My only warning would be that it's not water proof. This was a shame since as we walked out of the show it started snowing!

I'm wearing a long scarf underneath to keep my neck nice and cozy.

This was my outfit. I'm super happy with it.

The dress is from Miss Selfridge. I love their dresses and petite section. Also wore one of their dresses for Christmas and people really liked it. 

A close up of my accessories and the program. 

My favorite part of the outfit has to be the earrings: Aren't they totally fitting for the Nutcracker? If I remember correctly they're by Betsey Johnson. I've had them for a while and look forward to bringing them out for Christmas.

Here I am at the Boston Opera house right before the show starts. 

The building was absolutely gorgeous. I hope to go there again to see another ballet, possibly one with less children. But there is a certain joy to seeing families going out to enjoy the arts. So many adorable girls in dresses!

The ballet itself was lovely. We had balcony seats and could see quite well. I'd seen the Nutcracker once before when I was quite little. The only thing that I remembered of it was the fight between the nutcracker and the mice as well as the dancing teddy bear. This show was so spectacular that it put those memories to shame. The dresses throughout the show were gorgeous and suited the beautiful craft of the stage so well. The dancing was amazing. I think my favorite part was the French Pastorale in act two as well as the amazing dances done by the Snow Queen. She was gorgeous at the end of Act One as snow fell down as she brought to life the winter season. I was absolutely enraptured by the Sugar Plum Fairy's dance with her King before the court- from costuming to the finale, she was a beauty to behold. 

Also, I loved the fresco for the court, designed by Robert Perdziola. His imaginings are graceful and brought a warmth to the stage.

The Sugar Plum Fairy

Hopefully, I'll go to see another ballet!