My Cat is a Demon

Recently, I had to go on a spontaneous trip to California because my grandfather was having a big surgery. I always have trouble taking trips due to my animals (two birds and a cat) but my friend was gracious enough to care for the birds, and my grandmother (who isn't married to the grandfather previously mentioned) offered to watch my cat. I was gone for about five days (including travel time). In the five days I was gone, my sweet little kitty became Satan's spawn.

Once a cat who enjoyed cuddles and kisses, his new personality was as feral as his big cat ancestors. Biting, spitting, scratching; things he did rarely (and he only ever hissed at strangers, never attacked) became the new norm. I have bruises and bite marks covering my arms from trying to control this newly wild animal.

I thought he could be trying to hide pain or illness, but it's very unlikely because he is the laziest cat I have ever met and follows his human companions like a shadow. If he was hurt it would have been noticed when the injury occurred, and him getting into something bad would have been, too.

Maybe he's mad I left him for so long, but he wasn't alone. Maybe he has a mental disorder (like anxiety problems) that was recently triggered.

But no.

In my mind, the only logical explanation was demonic possession that caused my cat to hate me.

 Why? I want to love you. Love me.

Change of Heart

So, I've been having a change of heart recently.

I love fashion, but I feel lost in the sea of fashion bloggers, like I'm not even on a boat. I don't have a life jacket, I'm desperately trying to cling on to my hopes and dreams.

I've evolved past fashion. Ok, no one does that, but I feel like I can blog about something else, and still enjoy and feel pleased with myself.

Which is a big statement, because I rarely am pleased with myself.

Instead of feeling guilty that I have nothing of the fashion variety to talk about, just because I'm out of the swing of things, I decided that I'm going to pursue one of my favorite hobbies: Cartooning.

So, basically everything is going to change around here, and it's going to be a big one.

I've always loved art, and even when I was younger, I made comic strips with this "family" I created. They were comprised of floating facial features (looking back, they were really creepy.) I used to make little comic strips of the family all the time, until for some reason, I just stopped. I wasn't interested in pursuing cartoons and comics anymore. I moved on to other things, until (about) freshman year of high school, when I took an actual art class (required for graduation). I really enjoyed art, and this class just proved that I was decent at creating it, too, and so, I created paintings and sketches and ink prints, etc.

I do enjoy painting (watercolor to be exact) and I do paint a lot. But recently I've been having trouble communicating my feelings and emotions and basically things that a five year old could (eg: I'm sad, I'm mad, I want, I feel..) I've drawn a few silly cartoons of myself and how I've been feeling that day, or just to vent or show something funny or silly. I genuinely enjoy doing it more than I enjoyed fashion blogging (especially because I've been having (probably) anxiety and (probably) depression issues, and cartoons don't feel like work.)

Fashion blogging felt like a hassle, and when I didn't follow through I felt guilty, which leads to self depreciation, which leads to more guilt and sadness. It's a vicious circle that is extremely difficult to escape.

Drawing these silly little comics is fun, and is something I look forward to, and praise myself for. I know think they're super cute depictions of myself/my animals/whatever.

So, heres to a new (and still more French) year, with comics!

xx

I'm sorry, I'm French.

I lied, ok? I fibbed about posting a review on the Benefit makeup kit.

I mostly lost motivation after seeing how it really didn't match my skin. They make a few kits so you can try the product, but don't make it in my Casper shade, the light is still about 2 shades too dark. It would be great for my summers, but in the middle of December, it's not really light enough.

See? There's my review, kind of. I'll get to it, eventually.

I've decided it would be exponentially more fun to be French, so I've decided that's my resolution for the new year: Be More French. (When I say French, I don''t mean modern couture French, I mean like An American in Paris. Like Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron.)

So, I'm not really sure how to accomplish this resolution, but I'm definitely going to give it my best shot, because why not? Majority of people make the same resolution "get fit, lose weight, clean more, spend more time with family, quit smoking, learn something new, etc.", but I seem to always go against the grain, because why not? Be more French is a perfectly swell resolution.

I hope I can stick to documenting this, because blogging more regularly is not one of my resolutions..

XOXO

My Body is Ready

Winter.

Prepare yourselves, I can only assume since last winter was very mild, that this winter will be horrendous! So, I will provide you with a list of all my winter favorites and must haves, just to help you prepare.

1. Sweaters. Of any kind. Dresses, striped, fuzzy, oversize, cropped, cable knit, or of the ugly Christmas variety.

ROMWE

2. Socks. Again, any kind. I love novelty socks with Hello Kitty or Adventure Time characters.
3. Slippers (see #2).
4. Scarves, hats, gloves/mittens. AKA outdoor warmth accessories. If they don't match/coordinate, it's best.
5. Boots. I believe there are two kinds of boots that are necessary for "snow dwellers"; the reliable snow boot, and the cute boot(knit mukluks, wedges, etc).

My boots from Zappos.

6. A velvet dress. I can't link you, this is something you have to fall in love with.
7. Red lipstick.

(WARNING: The rest is kind of up to you/self explanatory.)

8. A good book.
9. A good cocoa/cider recipe.
10. A sunny disposition, since the weather is not so.. Especially with the rude shoppers scurrying around.
11. Lots of family time.
12. Pearl stud earrings, for when you feel fancy in the winter, and it's totally allowed, anytime.
13. Quality time spent with friends.
14. Pet sweaters, especially for small dogs/cats that might be prone to chills.
15. The giving spirit.
16. Extra blankets.
17. Button down shirts to layer under your fabulous sweaters.

Chicnova

18. Black jeans.
19. Lots of tights, again novelty tights are always great.

And that's it, because having an even number or a multiple of five is too "mainstream". Which reminds me, take a tip from the hipsters this winter and wear lots of layers and hats.

Stay warm!
XOXO,
Babette

Clothing Sale!

Through my FB album. Hopefully I can do some more of these, soon!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.488208591201458.108857.100000369635964&type=1&l=40a80178b0

Hate Me.

Ok, you can hate me.

I ran into a few problems over the past week or so.

Allow me to elaborate.

1. My parents are unable to afford the college that I wanted, due to the price of living in the city of Chicago, especially when the school I chose did not have dorms/housing.
2. I couldn't find any jean jackets or good sweatshirts at the thrift store.
3. I couldn't locate ANY clothing spikes at JoAnn Fabrics or Pat Catans, and we have no Michaels in my area.
4. When I ordered the spikes, they're going to take a few weeks to ship. Redonk.

All in all, it's been rough.

Theres a new outfit on my Polyvore page showing how to style a velvet maxi dress I purchased from Sweet Lorain (a vintage shop in Cleveland).

I'm sorry, readers, but this college stuff is really beating the poo out of me.

XOXO,
Babette

Jumpstart

I'm getting a jumpstart. Or a jump..back. 

Heres my updated list of wants..

1. A perfect pair of bf jeans.

2. A perfect pair of black jeans. Not gray, not faded. Black.
3. Casual, thick sweater.
4. Comfortable t-shirts in my favorite prints.
5. A pair of long term ballet flats.
6. A heavier weight jean jacket.
7. Perfect leggings.

So, let's move up the sweater, shirts, and get rid of the leggings. 

I bought two fabulous pairs of black jeans, one high waisted, one bootcut from Charlotte Russe. They were having a jeans sale and they had a 20% coupon for purchases over $50. 

I altered a jean jacket, and plan on posting a how-to sometime this week, you're not allowed to see. It's a surprise. I want to factor in a studding tutorial, too.

I have t-shirts, but not enough, and not all of them are comfortable. 

I want to pack things I'll actually wear for college, especially since we'll be driving to the school and have limited car space.

I'm going way too slow on this list. 
More college updates and a how-to later this week.

XOXO, 
Babette