Mina...
22. Animation/Illustration Student at SJSU. Dabbler, creator, artist, model. aspiring polymath.
Proper Introductions
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By Mina Caustic, on November 10th, 2010%
The girl with the new camera would like to tell you to please do the above suggestions daily. This is a small key chain my mother gave me. There are multiple Love and Laugh tabs on this little keyring charm, and it’s a great thing to remind yourself if you start to feel a little down, which, honestly, I go through a lot.
Many goths are artists, and many artists are depressed. It’s not really something we do on purpose, it’s just something that we deal with. Some of us function better than others. Some of it’s self-imposed (well, I’d probably argue a lot of it is self-imposed), some of it’s subconscious. Whether or not there are more depressed artists out there vs other people, though, I can’t quite say.
I suffer from periodic depression and anxiety, and it doesn’t help that I’m often overloaded and run the risk of burn out half the time from too much work (my own fault though. Time Management Planning is my new year’s resolution, after I disappear into the woods for my much needed winter break, which should wash away a lot of that burnout and overloaded feeling).
Today I woke up not feeling well, and having the above little reminder is always a big help. I plan on salvaging today by making it to the class and meeting I have to go to, and spending the rest of the day in my home, cozy, working on art homework that I need to get done (and am behind on). It actually sounds lovely, as today I don’t really feel like facing the daily horde of 30,000 college students buzzing about at my campus.
I’m not attempting to garner sympathy. It’s just a fact of my life, and it unfortunately puts a very somber mood on conversations. So, instead of leaving this paragraph feeling gloomy, go back to the above photo and think about those two words. Smiling sends happy chemicals to the brain, and feeling good about yourself in general makes your day better!
On with my weekly outfits. I wore this little set-up Monday:
Make-Up: Standard issue MAC, clinique, and palladio mix.
Clothes: Las Vegas souvenir t-shirt, Target sweater, Forever 21 leggings, Lip Service skirt
Accessories: Glasses for comfort (usually contacts), black bow choker, spider heart pendant, pink and black striped Hot Topic barrette
Shoes: Payless ankle boots
I have nothing else to report, so stay strong, have a great day, and don’t forget: never, ever give up!
By Mina Caustic, on November 8th, 2010%
I have nothing to show you wonderful people in the way of art or fashion, so I thought I’d babble about other things today. My weekend was filled with homework, visiting family, and retrieving items from home. I missed my parents terribly; I haven’t been able to visit them much at all this semester. And, I saw two of my closest friends.
I’m happy to say that I’m now driving again. Through various circumstances, I was given my grandmother’s car. She’s fine, fyi. It’s a 2001 Camry. I am to drive it like my grandmother, too.
Also, as a Christmas present, my Dad got me the new camera I was hoping for! It will debut with my mediocre camera taking skills (because it’s a really nice camera and I need practice) in today’s post:
Autumn
I *love* autumn. California likes to pretend it isn’t there, but all the decorations and changing leaves tell me otherwise. Autumn means I regain my love for knitting that lies dormant in the summer months. Autumn means that the nasty sun-creature is moving slightly to the south, making it cooler and cozier. Autumn means the first rains come for us; it signifies change in a way that’s inviting and nostalgic.
I have a love of pumpkins. It’s not irrational–yet–and I came across this little tea light decoration that was on sale. I decided it was great for my coffee table and I promptly bought it. I added my seasonal decoration for the photo (these fruit and gourds usually live in the kitchen). I love it.
As for knitting, I’m prepping myself for it. I have lots of yarn I need to start working with. I’ll start playing with the idea of spending money at yarn shops. I’m opening up the yarn blogs to see what I’ve missed the past few months. I feel crafty.
By Mina Caustic, on October 30th, 2010%
Hello dear reader! It’s the end of the week, and I’m on my way to a costume party. I didn’t dress in costume, because I’m tired. I have no other good excuse. I went to Monterey today with Hope, spent the day wandering through dark and interesting shops, picking vegetables at Monterey mountain homes, and playing with a crazy child.
Anyway, I did it! I put together the black sweater dress. Yes, the bed is unmade. You should see the rest of my apartment.
Make-Up: MAC inkpot eyeliner, MAC foundation, Palladio blush, Clinique lavender eye shadow, Clinique black eye shadow, Hot Topic palette, lip gloss
Clothes: Forever 21 stockings and sweater dress.
Shoes: Doc Marten’s 1942’s
Accessories: Forever 21 fingerless gloves, black Hot Topic bow, Hot Topic Octopus necklace
With the amount of make-up I’ve listed, it sure would be nice to find a way to show what I’ve done. Sigh, cameras. Also, if my teenage self got wind of me buying anything from Hot Topic or Forever 21, I would be berated. Oh, how the tides have changed (and thankfully, the fashion sense)!
By Mina Caustic, on October 19th, 2010%
Several serious links, nerdy links, and girly links this week.
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Gala Darling: One of the more popular blogs I’ve run across. She gives sound advice and consistently tries to please her readers. Inspiring, really. I purchased her year’s work of podcasts.
Americans Are Horribly Misinformed About Who Has Money: Whatever your political leanings, I find it always good to look over charts like this. It’s good to know the facts.
Neocon Like Me: An amazing article on ridiculous spending on the American University in Iraq and the gross incompetence of many of the people working there. Why is it still there?
The Billion Dollar Home is Complete: For gawking, more than anything else.
Six Dangerous Products Men Use Daily—And What To Use Instead: I know that men aren’t the targeted audience of this blog. I do know that my male friends sometimes happen by it, and they may be interested in this link.
Molly Crabapple: Another amazing blogger. She’s putting out illustrations of artist monkeys right now in alphabet shapes. I love it!
By Mina Caustic, on October 18th, 2010%
Last week I did other things instead of sit in front of a computer. I worked on homework (naked people post will be up shortly), went rock climbing, and had company over a lot.
I baked with my friend Anna yesterday, which resulted in cupcakes that look like this:
Not too bad, if I say so myself. I’m gaining a taste for cream cheese frosting (although I still love buttercream more). This is a nutella frosting/chocolate chip/chocolate batter cupcake, and it is *decadent*. I’m so happy with them.
For something completely meta: I found my cat hiding in my closet on one of my shoe shelves.
Classy.
Outfits from last week:
I felt really swank in my getups. I put together one for each day, but only remembered to document three. I’m starting to notice now how often I wear black leggings or black tights. I think I’m going to have to make a purchase soon at Sock Dreams.
However, that does lead me into my next point. When working with a budget, try to make many outfits using a few important accessory “staples”. I have many different photos of me in black tights or leggings, the same two or three pairs of shoes, etc. While I’d like to expand on a few items, such as my sock collection, it’s good to have items that will last a while with neutral (or almost neutral) hues.
Also, I like the versatility in certain footwear. Payless shoes is a bargain shop, but they have the occasional awesome pair of shoes that last me about a year. The suedette booties I wear below are a beautiful example of that. They’re brand new, fairly comfortable, and I hope to get good wear out of them.
The other pair I’m wearing in the below photos is a Madden Girl pair of kitten heels that still look adorable, even with all of their scuffmarks. I’ve had those shoes for, believe it or not, 4-5 years. They also go with almost every outfit I own, which is crazy useful.
I’m wearing two pairs of shoes in the three outfits below, and the same tights twice. They all produce a somewhat different effect when paired with different outfits.
Make-Up: the usual Clinique/Palladio mash-up.
Clothes: Super Low Fat, from goth swap. Express tights, a nameless tie from Singapore
Shoes: Payless booties
Make-Up: MAC lipstick, Clinique eyeshadow, MAC eyeliner, ULTA mascara
Clothes: Lip Service dress, footless tights from Target, scarf turned ascot
Shoes: Madden Girl, removable shoe clips from unknown source
Jewelry: Earrings from a set procured by Mom, basic 0g titanium tunnels
Make-Up: Clinique Eyeshadow, Victoria’s Secret eyeshadow, Hot Topic brand eyeshadow. Urban Decay lip stain with MAC Ruby Woo lipstick over it. Palladio eyeliner and mascara.
Clothes: Banana Republic top, FanPlusFriend waist cincher, Metamorphose skirt (with an In the Starlight petticoat)
Express tights
Shoes:
Jewelry: Michaels-bought cameo frankensteined onto a choker, matching earrings
Shoes: Payless booties
That’s it for me tonight. Falling asleep at your kitchen table is the exact opposite of fashionable, if I do say so myself.
By Mina Caustic, on October 3rd, 2010%
Yesterday, my boy took me on a nice date downtown. I’ve lived in/around downtown San Jose three and a half years now, and I still really enjoy walking around. It’s quieter than San Francisco, but it still has a big city feel, with our local music/art festivals and events.
We went to the Tech Museum as I had never gone to the actual museum before. I saw Bodyworlds there years ago (and touched things that weren’t meant to be touched), but I was too tired to explore the rest at the time.
I really enjoyed our tour this time around. I was hoping for more things at the museum, but I guess I’m used to more grandiose creations in SF. Part of the museum was sectioned off for traveling shows, like their Genghis Khan exhibit. The rest of the museum mostly had things for children, information about medical innovation, a little bit about prosthetics and world charity, microchips and programming, and space. They had a small section for new media, with a Google Earth demo and a multitouch screen with a colorful moving art program that you manipulated.
We had dinner at Flames. The drinks were tasty, the food wasn’t bad. The real treat was the end of the date, where I remembered to pull out my camera.
I give you: Loves Cupcakes.
Loves Cupcakes is a new, small cupcakery that just opened up in downtown. I love pastries, baked goods, chocolate–these are my vices. I am a complete sucker for flowers and chocolate on Valentine’s (I’m easy, I know), and I can eat some of the richest, fatty baked goods out there. Loves Cupcakes sells regular and mini cupcakes, cupcake truffles, cupcakes on a stick, etc. We decided to try two mini cupcakes, and oh. Mine was heavenly.
Chocolate Bliss. Loves Cupcakes’ flavor section reads:
Chocolate Bliss
Belgian chocolate cake finished with Belgian bittersweet chocolate. Italian Meringue butter cream garnished with a round of ganache.
Mmm, delicious.
Scott had Red Velvet. I asked him if it was good. He says, “Yeah.” I don’t know if he’s as passionate about cupcakes as I am. But, he brought me there, which makes me a happy bee.
Weekly fashion: I’m thinking of making Sundays my fashion update. I’ll cover my outfit(s) for the week, something interesting, etc. Today is an exception with the above, because cupcakes and dates are fun.
I need to learn the art of mirror-camera. I’m not always making the prettiest facial expression, although I’m *trying really hard*.
I really love this ensemble. I want more hair accessories like black roses, bows, feather barrettes, etc. but my mini hats will do for now.
Cíao!
By Mina Caustic, on October 2nd, 2010%
Tuesday, I went to a large venue to see a popular rock band. In a word: I saw Muse for the first time. I went with my mother and my best friend (Joe). It was perhaps one of the best concert experiences I’ve had. I am without make-up because I was at a sweaty rock show with elbows in my face, sweaty people, and you know, I don’t need make-up. It’s fun and expressive, but it’s just not always me. Passion Pit opened. I enjoy Passion Pit as background music and just mellow listening music, so it was fun. They just aren’t quite a Muse opener. And, the pot-smoking teenagers a couple rows ahead of us almost ruined the collective experience. (Joe, Mom and I were of the opinion that if you insist on lighting up at a public event, do it outside during breaks and before the show. However, their imbibing of a substance wasn’t what really bothered us, we simply didn’t like their rowdy, unnecessary behavior. We’re grumpy old people).
Cleavage shirt had a bra. Cleavage shirt is always much farther down than I remember. And now, a photo spread of the show:
They ended it with Knights of Cydonia and lots of steam. It was a wonderful show. I didn’t know every song played, but it was still a lot of fun. We all really enjoyed ourselves.
All photos of the Sacramento Muse concert are by Joe, because I totally forgot my camera.
Halfway through this week, I was planning on writing this post up. And then, I was planning on posting drawings from Thursday life drawing. That didn’t happen. Why?
That happened (on Wednesday). This car is old enough now that we’re pretty sure it’s totaled. I was really bummed out afterward on Thursday, so I went to class and work, but stayed home otherwise.
Friday, I had a fashion show. That will be a post all its own.
Today, I have a hot date and a game later.
Cíao!
By Mina Caustic, on September 27th, 2010%
Good news, everyone! Thanks to a tutorial on Squeak Machine, I have a French manicure done in the comfort of my own home with a dark twist. I’m sure it’s made the rotation in the past between subculture and mainstream, but this is my first encounter with black French tips. I love it. It gives a understated, dainty feel to a classic goth look. And, while you sacrifice much nail real-estate for this look, it is more forgiving when you draw.
Today was the celebration of my friend Katie’s birthday. We celebrated by dressing up in lolita finery and enjoyed a nice group picnic along one of SJSU’s many lawns. I brought my camera but I completely forgot to take more photos—I’m definitely rusty at this picture-taking thing. The only decent photo I took was of Katie happily presenting her cake-on-fire. It proceeded to melt into an amazing shape later on in the day (not due to combustion, we simply did not know it was so fragile), but we mourned the loss of such a decadent baked good.
After the picnic, I relaxed and changed, as savvy ladies tend to. I spent the rest of my evening lavishing in the glory of Hope, another close friend. We ate wonderful food and chatted, and I forgot to take more photos.
Enjoy!
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