Liebster Award

Excuse the iPhone quality, I have no good photos on myself and my camera died -_________-

I received comments the other day from Mia from Une Jolie Vie, Em from Mascara Warrior, Laura from Dreamer Laura, Maddie from That Place Called Here, Loren from Halcyon Lagoon, Rebecka from Rebeckas Rambling, Ana from Happiness is Found in Little Things, Jodi from Young Cat Lady, Jess from Wander through Wonderland, Rohini from Sunshine Malone, Olivia from The Olivia Jayne, and Tania from The Tania Diaries telling me they've nominated me for a Liebster Award (yaaay, thank you all so much)!! Literally the first thought that went through my mind was whether or not Liebster was foreign for lobster. Fear not, this award is not actually named after a crustacean! Liebster is German for "darling" or "dearest," which makes more sense than awarding people with the Lobster Award (though I do love me a good lobster roll)... Oh, Nat.

Basically the Liebster Award is given by a previous nominee to up-and-coming bloggers by who have less than 200 followers, and it's like a tag where the nominee answers 11 questions that the person who nominated them posted for them to answer, write 11 facts about him or herself, and then adds 11 more for whomever they would like to tag to answer on their blog to connect the community of bloggers. Alongside being a way for you lovely people who take the time to read my blog to find out a little more about me, it's a way for people to discover new blogs and find out more about the wonderful people behind all of the posts that I love to read -- how awesome is that?! I'm super excited and so honored that I was mentioned on their blogs and that I can pay it forward and give a shout outs to the blogs I've been loving reading recently, so here we go!

Mia's Questions

1. If you could know any language what would it be?

Hm, I'm currently fluent in English and Japanese, but I wish I also knew fluent Italian because that's what I'm studying right now! If I were to pick a language that I haven't studied yet it would probably be Korean.

2. What is your must have beauty product?

Blush. I have so, so many because I love dusting it all over my cheeks and making my face look cheered up!

3. What is your favorite dessert?

I could always go for some ice cream in a sugar cone!

4. Do you prefer liquid eyeliner, pencil eyeliner or none?

I like black gel liner and brown pencil liner, but I think I'd prefer the pencil because it gives a softer effect and I don't always like to wear harsh black around my eyes.

5. What is your most memorable vacation?

I used to go back to Japan every summer and have so many memories from the time I spent at my grandpa's house with my baby cousins, but I also loved visiting Europe for the first time last summer (I spent time in Venice, Lugano/Bern/Zermatt, and Paris), so much so that I applied to study abroad in Europe next year.

6. What made you decide to start a blog?

I really love reading other people's blogs, enjoy writing and graphic design, and would eventually like to work in the social media/PR industry so I thought this would be a good place to start building a community of like-minded friends, discover products, and better my sense of style!

7. What do you wish you could do better in terms of makeup?

I wish I knew how to achieve a flawless eye makeup look! I haven't found one look that suits me best yet and wish I just had like some holy grail products and a flawless go-to look with a select number of amazing products.

8. What do you want to end up doing in life?

In terms of a career really want to explore my options in marketing, PR, and design. I think it would be awesome to be able to live abroad for a while, have a profession that isn't just a cubicle job but allows me opportunities to go to and host events, network with people, and really immerse myself in my creative side!

9. Lipstick, lip balm or lip gloss?

Lip balm for suuuure, I am never without an EOS lippie close by! Lipstick and lipgloss are just too much of a hassle sometimes and once they wear off I'm usually too lazy to reapply and revert back to the balm.

10. Soft waves or straightened hair?

Depends on my mood, sometimes I love the laid back wave feel and at other times I want my hair stick straight. My hair is naturally a little bit of both (I literally woke up one morning and one side of my head had natural ringlets and curls and other side was straight...) so I can go either way, but right now I'd say waves.

11. Which beauty blog do you frequent most?

I'm not sure why or how this has happened, but I have become obsessed with the British blogging community and am really keen on all of their fashion and beauty products, even though I live in California... Like, the farthest place from anything British... So I often check Zoella, SprinkleofGlitter, FleurDeForce, Milkteef, etc. but I also love non UK girls and blogs, including Amarixe's swatches and SF Girl by Bay!

Em's Questions

1. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I would love to travel to Greece and Morocco, they both have such interesting cultures and I feel like I would be so inspired!

2. Are you an extrovert or an introvert?

I think I have qualities of both. I can be really shy and nervous at times, but I've kind of grown into myself and come to appreciate being more open. I like to live by my own saying of "everything only takes about 20% hard work and 80% enthusiasm" which kind of stems from that idea of being more extroverted!

3. What are some interests of yours besides beauty and makeup?

I love to draw and I volunteer during a lot of my spare time. I'm really interested in international aid and have close ties with Rotary.

4. You woke up late and have five minutes to do your makeup! What do you reach for?

Ahh! No!! This happens more often than I'd like to admit... But probably concealer, eyelash curler, and tinted lip balm - anything to make me look more awake!!

5. What's your favorite type of clothing or accessory?

I love yoga shorts, oversized sweatshirts, and hair ties (for a messy top knot of course). Wow do I sound like a lazeball or what - but it's actually my most worn outfit... I get as disgusting as possible the moment I get home. (All joking aside, I do love American Eagle jeggings the most!)

6. What's the last thing that you genuinely laughed at?

I got asked how old I am and carded at CVS because I wanted to buy nail polish remover (who knew it was an age restricted item?!) and joked around with the cashier because the self checkout machine got mad at me!

7. What's your favorite book, movie, song, or television show?

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri / The Aristocats / Hands by m-flo / Friends, Gossip Girl, Shabekuri 007

8. What skill do you wish you had, or one you wish you could do better?

I wish I could still do a backflip! I also wish I could either sing or dance, except I'm tone deaf and have two left feet.

9. If you could speak any language fluently, what would it be and why?

Italian, it's so melodic and beautiful! Also, I need to find me a nice European man (hah)...

10. Name something off of the top of your bucket list.

I haven't thought of a bucket list, but I am determined to live abroad for a while.

11. What do you usually do when you want to have fun? 

EAT FOOD! And paint my nails. And try out new teas. If all 3 are combined in one night with my gal pals I am a happy camper (:

Laura's Questions

1. Why did you start blogging?

Answered above!

2. What has blogging give you?

Validation in purchasing more makeup... Justkidding!! A creative outlet where I can check back for great feedback and responses from people I really admire (:

3. What's your biggest dream?

To be able to inspire other people to be happy.

4. Share your best summer memory with us.

Going to the beach and spending an amazing day with my friends and one of my biggest inspirations, mentor, and friend, my high school AP Literature teacher who was like an aunt to us all and sadly passed away a few weeks ago.

5. What is your most prized possession? 

My family and loved ones, and my dog (:

6. Share one of your most embarrassing moments.

I got really drunk fun with my roomies on my birthday and two of us tried to teach ourselves how to dougie while watching a YouTube tutorial... Our other roommate caught it on camera (DSLR quality, mind you) and now uses it as blackmail. Whoops.

7. Who inspires you the most?

My parents, two of my high school teachers, select friends.

8. Favorite eating place?

Ooh, this is a toughie! The best restaurant I have ever eaten at is called Osteria La Bottega ai Promessi Sposi and is in Venice, Italy. Ahh, I wish I could go back for their spaghetti vongole again!

9. What is your favourite TV show?

At the moment, Friends... and the old Whose Line is it Anyway with Drew Carey, and Boy Meets World.

10. Describe your personality

Weird. Ahaha, I've grown to become pretty outgoing and really hyper but I can also be mellow and chilled out. I'm a very upbeat and optimistic person, but I'm also impatient and super sarcastic.

Maddie's Questions

1. If you had to wear just one make-up product on your face for a day, what would it be and why?

Hrm, lip balm? My lips have been super chapped lately so without it I'd probably go crazy!

2. What is your favourite High Street/Drugstore make-up product and why?

Ahh, so hard to choose. I'd say the NYX blush in Pinched is my favorite because it's just so darn pretty and I haven't found anything else quite like it in the drugstore.

3. Favourite colour to wear on your nails?

I have so many nail polishes that I change it up all the time depending on my mood, but my favorite and most-worn of all time is probably Essie Infatuation.

4. If you had your own make-up range what would it be called?

Oh man, this is an exciting question! I love branding things (like websites, tshirts, club stuff, etc.) so I'd have to give it a lot of thought before settling on the perfect name and feel, but probably something cute like Honeydrop or random like Paper Planes.

5. Favourite way to wear your hair?

I like to keep it down, either straight or wavy.

6. If you could swap wardrobes with any celebrity who would it be?

Rinka

7. Who inspires you?

Answered above!

8. What is your favourite motivational, positive or inspirational quote?

My favorite poem has my favorite quote of all time, and it goes:

Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry

Live simply, expect little, give much

Scatter sunshine, forget self, think of others.

I love the idea of being able to scatter sunshine, or to spread the positivity and good things that come to you by reflecting them in how you act, think, and live.

9. What is your guilty pleasure?

Watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians while eating mint chocolate chip ice cream and waffle cookies.

10. Who or what inspired you to start and blog and why do you enjoy writing it?

The blogs I love to read inspired me, as well as the opportunity to create something of my own where I can decide the layout, the design, the content, etc. It was just such an exciting prospect and I love being able to explore my creativity through style, fashion, makeup, favorites, and writing it all down.

Loren's Questions

1. What is your dream career? 

Hm, being paid to eat? Or shop... Haha. I'd actually really love to work for a magazine because I'd be able to channel my creativity in design and writing, play around with fashion, attend events, and create something for lots of people!

2. What age do you feel your personality represents?

I can act both really childish and quite mature (if I do say so myself) but I swear I'm mentally stuck at 17, because I'll see like an attractive celebrity or someone who is like 22 or 23 and be like "Oh he is too old for me," and then realize I'm almost 21 and they aren't that much older than me.

3. If you had the opportunity to speak to the world, what would you say?

I would encourage people to help each other (as cliche as that sounds), to see the positivity that surrounds us and that there is worth to everyone.

4. What is on the top of your wish list?

A pair of nice black or nude flats!

5. What was the last new experience that you encountered?

Ooh, good question. Well the other day I bought my first thing from MAC ever, which was new I guess. Otherwise I think exploring different areas of the city exposed me to a lot of cool new places.

6. What is the number one thing that makes you loose track of time?

Graphic design

7. What is the funniest thing you have heard this week?

I was cracking up pretty hard while watching Whose Line is it Anyway - Wayne's JT song to Lisa Leslie was the best!

8. How would your life change if you had all the money in the world?

I don't think I would want it to change all that much. I would probably help my parents fix up the house and save for the future.

9. What TV show or movie would you like to live in?

FRIENDS!!

10. What inspires your creativity the most?

Words and colors... I know that sounds weird but if people start talking about events that they need posters for or something I immediately start to visualize design concepts.

11. Would you prefer to be famous or unknown?

I would like to be given credit and recognition for what I do, but not famous like a celebrity.

Rebecka's Questions

1. If you had to pick one blogging or vlogging?

Blogging! As much as I like watching YouTuber vlogs, I have my own life to attend to... Blogging is a creative outlet for me and I love reading about people's experiences either in life or with products instead of watching random snippets.

2. What is your fashion must have?

American Eagle jeggings are a lifesaver! I probably haven't worn a "real" pair of jeans in 4 or 5 years.

3. What is your best beauty secret?

Using coconut oil as a makeup remover, moisturizer, body lotion, hair mask... It's literally a miracle product!

4. What is the beauty product/thing that you suck at?

Uhm, well I don't really know how to do fancy eye makeup so I usually just use one color on the lid. Oh, I also can't contour to save my life!

5. Face makeup or eye makeup

As much as I suck at eye makeup I feel awkward when I just do my face makeup and I really like to bring attention to my eyes, so eye!

6. What makeup and fashion item could you not live without?

Makeup: probably my eyelash curler (it literally makes 1000% difference in how my face looks when my lashes are curled v. not curled) and lip balm.

Fashion: Hrmmm, oversized t-shirts.

7. If you had £3,000 would you spend it on fashion or beauty?

Probably fashion. As much as I love tinkering with makeup, my wardrobe needs a complete overhaul!

8. If you could have anyones wardrobe who would it be?

Zoella

9. If you could only ever own one makeup brand which brand would it be?

NARS

10. What inspired you to make a blog?

Answered above!

11. If you had any advise to someone wanting to start a blog what would it be?

Just go for it. I hesitated about starting one for so long thinking no one would ever read it and I'd just get bored of it right away, but I actually enjoy the creative process so much and I love seeing that people actually like to read what I write and put out there!! *Insert cliche gushing here* But seriously, what do you have to lose?

Ana's Questions

1. What's your favorite YouTube channel?

Zoella

2. Your favorite fashion magazine?

ViVi - you've probably never heard of it, it's Japanese!

3. What's your favorite drugstore makeup brand?

Hmm, toughie! Probablyyyy NYX, if that counts as drugstore? But if we're talking more widely available I'd probably lean towards Revlon.

4. What is your morning/evening beauty routine?

Morning: Wash face with water (so as not to rid of all of the natural oils in the skin!), apply makeup if I feel like wearing any that day, try to tame the lion's mane a.k.a. hair

Night: Makeup removal (if I wore any), shower, either exfoliate or cleanse face with St. Ives scrub or Yes To Carrots moisturizing cleanser, apply moisturizer, apply Cortisone/Hydrocortisone cream to my eczema spots (ugh), apply intensive lip balm

5. Do you prefer sunbathing or fake tan?

Sunbathe... Though I know it's bad, I always try to wear SPF! Also I'm too afraid of fake tan to attempt it. I will probably turn into an oompa loompa.

6. What is your favorite TV show?

Right now it's Friends, but I also love HGTV (I am literally an old woman).

7. Do you like doing your nails or you go to a cosmetic salon?

I love doing my nails! It's so therapeutic it calms me down and oddly enough I kind of like the smell.

8. Lipstick or lipgloss?

Hrm, lip.... balm? I don't have a preference between stick and gloss, but maybe gloss on an everyday basis for school - just nothing sparkly.

9. What is your favorite BB cream/foundation?

Revlon Nearly Naked!

10. Do you use concealer every day? Which one?

Most days. Lately I've been trying out the Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circles Eraser and use the Revlon Colorstay concealer for any other needs.

11. Your own makeup tip if you have one.

Like I mentioned earlier, everyone needs a jar of coconut oil.

Jodi's Questions

1. What is your favorite major blog/blogger?

Probably Zoella or What Olivia Did

2. What is your favorite magazine and why?

ViVi - I love how most of the featured models are mixed race (like me!) and there is just so much great content. There are spreads upon spreads of new trends and how to wear them so I can literally sit there for hours reading just the latest issue.

3. Where do you get inspiration for your blog?

I get inspiration from all of the other blogs I read, the images I love on Tumblr/Pinterest, magazines, etc.

4. Who is your favorite fashion designer?

I don't think I have one?

5. If you had to be an animal for a day, what animal would it be and why?

I would be a pig because I could eat and roll around in mud all day.

6. What is one goal you hope to accomplish in life?

Taking baby steps, first would be to graduate college without any regrets.

7. Who is your celebrity crush?

Bradley Cooper is SO cute! But so are Logan Lerman and Patrick J. Adams (ooh, in his suit!).

8. What is your current favorite song?

Quesadilla / WALK THE MOON

Life Happens / Brandon and Leah

The Struggle / Grizfolk

Dear Science / Seth Sentry

9. What is your favorite movie?

Exit Through the Gift Shop

10. What can readers expect in the future of your blog?

Eventually I want to get a nicer camera (not just for blogging, but better pictures overall will come of it)!

Jess's Questions

1.What is your favourite film?

Exit Through the Gift Shop

2. What was the last thing you bought?

A BART ticket to get into the city

3. Why did you start blogging?

Answered above!

4. What is your favourite shop?

Hmm, at the moment probably ASOS (does that count as a "shop"?) because there is so much selection of everything that I want and so many cute things I can't find in stores.

5. If you could have anything you wanted right now what would it be? (has to be an item)

A nice camera, like an Olympus PEN or Nikon One

6. If you were invisible for a day what would you do?

People watch (not that I don't do that already... but extra stealth!)

7. What is your favourite book?

This may sound a bit depressing, but I think George Orwell's 1984 is genius.

8. What is your best beauty tip?

Use coconut oil for everything.

9. What is the song you can't stop listening to at the moment?

MAJOR THROWBACK TO MY MIDDLE SCHOOL JPOP PHASE. I don't know why this song has suddenly taken over my life but I've been listening to KAT-TUN's "Rush of Light" on obsessive repeat.

10. What is your most loved item of clothing?

My navy pea coat from Gap

11. What is your dream job?

To work at a magazine - I'm not sure what I'd want to do, but I like graphic/layout design, writing and editing, going to events, making lists... Gosh, I'd just do everything!

Rohini's Questions

1. If you could move to another country where would it be and why?

Oh this is tough! I would say England but it's too cold. Maybe Japan! As a child I'd always dream of living in Tokyo again, or even in my little hometown.

2. If you could go back in time who would you have liked to meet?

Claude Monet

3. Who is your celebrity style icon?

Miranda Kerr

4. What are your favourite foods?

POTATOES!!

5. What's an interesting fact about you?

When I was little I used to love hiding under tables at restaurants and one time I pretended I was a kitty and meowed and the owner came out of the kitchen furious with a broom in hand until he realized there wasn't actually a cat... Bahaha, stirring up trouble since 1992. But yeah, since then I've also perfected a dog bark and think I can talk to chickens.

6. If you could have 1 superpower what would it be and why?

The ability to teleport!

7. If you could be any animal what would you be and why?

A pig. Then I could eat, play, and roll around in mud all day!

8. What is your favourite flavour ice cream? :)

Ooh, this is a toughie! I really like neapolitan, though.

9. If I came to your house for dinner what would you cook for me? 

Pasta... Bahaha it's so easy! Or hamburger casserole or japanese hamburgs. Welcome to college cooking 101.

10.  If you were given a million pounds what would you do with it?

Complete my education, help renovate my parents' house, and invest like my papa taught me!

Olivia's Questions

1.How long have you been blogging?

Technically my blog was created in June and I started really posting around mid-July, but I've tried blogging on and off for a few years but this is my first successful attempt!

2.Why did you start blogging?

Answered above!

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world & money was no object, where would you go?

Agh I just wanna travel everywhere! My key places I'd love to visit at the moment are England, Greece, Morocco, and Korea. I'd also be down to go to Thailand, Australia, South Africa, and Switzerland (again).

4.What is the one beauty product that you think every girl should have?

An eyelash curler. Those things look deadly but are seriously amazing.

5.What is the one item you think every girl should have in their wardrobe?

A great pair of skinny jeans. You can dress them up or down and they're always comfy (especially the American Eagle jeggings - no one can tell they're not "real" jeans and they fit like a glove!).

6.What is your favourite drugstore beauty brand?

If not NYX, which isn't widely available, then probably Rimmel or Revlon.

7.What is your favourite beauty buy under £5?

£5 is roughtly $7-8... I'd say NYX Powder Blush! Only $5.99 yo.

8. What do you do in the 'real world'?

Bahaha, the "real world" as opposed to the online world where I spend much of my time? I'm a university student!

9. What is your guilty pleasure?

Eating cinnamon sugar pita chips (mmmm) while laying on my bed wrapped up in a blanket watching shit tv (like KUWDK or ANTM).

10. What is your greatest achievement?

Studying what I love at my dream school.

11.What is the best advice you've ever been given?

You have to do things because you want to.

Tania's Questions

1. What made you want to start blogging?

Answered above!

2. What is your worst beauty habit?

Not taking my makeup off completely before bed. I rub some cold cream, use a cleanser, but in the morning I get leftover mascara circles under my eyes -___- It just takes too much timeee -whinewhinewhine-

3. What's a quote/motto you try to live by?

Scatter Sunshine, from the poem above.

4. What's the best place you've ever been to?

Venice!

5. What is or was your favourite tale as a child?

The Little Mermaid

6. Jeans or dresses?

Jeans

7. What's your favourite tv show?

Shabekuri 007

8. Who do you look up to?

People who are taller than me... Hah! Jk, answered above!

9. What's the best compliment you've ever been given?

"You're so outgoing and fun!"

10. How would you describe yourself in three words?

Creative, observant, independent.

11. What's your favourite type of blogs? (Beauty, fashion, lifestyle... You can say who your favourite bloggers are, it's always good to find new blogs! :))

Beauty blogs!


11 Random Facts About Me

1. I have 7 stitches on my face because I was an extremely graceful child - 3 on the bridge my nose from falling down the stairs and 4 on my lip from falling off the balance beam.
2. I regularly use sound effects in conversations to make everything sound more exciting.
3. I love to draw and completed an art portfolio during my senior year of high school. My concentration was a study in graphite of incandescent light bulbs.
4. I was born in Japan, so technically I've moved out of my homeland (but I've lived in the US permanently since I was about 4).
5. When people ask me what my favorite food is I always answer "potatoes."
6. While most people suffer from not having enough to write about for an essay, I have the opposite problem and usually write too much. When assigned a 7 page paper I tend to ramble on for about 13-14 pages and pull all-nighters trying to figure out which sentences I can cut out in a painful, time-consuming process.
7. I don't really like even numbers so I have 3 piercings in my ears. That's really the only reason why.
8. One of my eyes has a double eyelid and the other one doesn't, so I joke that that's how you can tell I'm Japanese/White. But actually...
9. I have discovered the magic of camera angles that allows me to send people photos of me with about 8 chins (take that, double chin!!) via SnapChat. It's a talent, really.
10. My favorite season is the spring time because I get really excited for those super warm days when it's been cold for a while and it makes me extremely happy! Rain, no the other hand, makes me snappy because I don't have very good circulation and usually lose blood flow to my hands and feet if it's less than 70 degrees out.
11. I'm a bit nail polish obsessed and have well over 60 displayed on a shelf in my living room.

11 Questions For My Nominees To Answer

1. Dresses, skirts, shorts, long pants (jeans, leggings, etc.) - rank them in your favorite order!
2. You go to your favorite restaurant: what do you order without looking at the menu?
3. What's your favorite TV show/movie that you would recommend to anyone?
4. Quick, name the 5 closest things to you right now!!
5. Favorite quote/life motto/words you live by?
6. What's the last song you listened to?
7. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
8. Favorite blogs to read at the moment?
9. Where do you get your style/beauty inspiration?
10. What is the number one beauty product you cannot live without?
11. When and why did you begin your blog?

And the nominees are *drumroll*...

Justine | Brighton Dream

Martyna | Neon Mizzle

Avneesh and Karen | AvneeshnKaren
Charlotte | CharlotteHavs
Elizabeth | I Am Not Blonde
Emma | Em & Them
Ally | missmacbeauty