ch ch changes

As of two days ago I decided to become vegetarian. I can't justify eating often sick and tortured animals any longer (eep sorry end rant - I just have to keep telling myself this to keep motivated). I have grown up on meat my whole life so giving it up is going to be quite difficult. I am taking it one day at a time but I think it is best for my health and the lives of the animals I will not be consuming. Wish me luck!

Are any of you vegetarian? How did you make the transition? Any tips?

Latest update - I am going to Japan! I went a few years ago with my dad and brother but it was only for three short days and spent the majority of our trip in Beijing, China. My friend Mike is currently teaching over there so I am going to visit him for a little over a week while his school is on spring break. I am beyond ecstatic! He lives in Minato-ku, Tokyo - so we will be spending the majority of my 10 day trip in Tokyo - I hope to hit up Shibuya and Harajuku again among other places :) . We also are hoping to make it out of Tokyo and head to either Kyoto which I heard is beautiful or to Hiroshima. I will definitely keep this blog updated once I am there. I can't wait for sushi every day and karaoke!!!

Here are some photos from my last trip there:

Also - I am OBSESSED with Blythe dolls.

Image from BlytheLife.
So naturally I have to scoop up one or two while I am there. I have been doing my homework and tracking down the best toy shops that carry Neo Blythe. There is obviously Junie moon which I will have to go and see - great excuse to get to Shibuya again!

Images from 8Tokyo.
They also carry her at the Kiddyland stores which are so much fun. They carry quite a variety at various Mandrake stores as well. EEEP! I cannot wait for this trip. I have been saving up and it is going to be a blast.

My latest thrifting obsession is to look for the rare 1972 Kenner Blythe dolls. I know she is out there in some dusty box. I need to start going to estate sales and what not and rescue her.

Images from The Rogue Dolls.
One more crazy Blythe thing - Blythecon 2012, yeah, I think I need to go!

Anyone else obsessed with them?

Looking to 2012

Happy new year everyone! Initially I had hoped to be blogging again once finals ended but the last few weeks have been such a whirlwind. After a few minor and major mental breakdowns (soberly-crying at a bar the night of my last final for example :-/) I survived my last semester of college. In the end I ended up graduating cum laude - phew.

Graduation day seemed like an outer body experience. It was 9 in the morning and I was still recovering mentally and emotionally from the week before (I don't handle stress and lack of sleep well). Next thing I know I am crossing the stage and being congratulated by the president, Dr.Bowman. Two weeks later - I think reality is finally sinking in. I'm excited and terrified to finally be free from it all. Without a job and school I literally am free to start fresh, which I think is a perfect way to start off the new year (alright, not completely jobless - still working freelance thankfully).

Anywho, Christmas and New Years Eve was fun and spent with loved ones. I am so thankful for my wonderful family and friends. I won't bore you with the details but it has been so nice to have down time.

2012 is going to be a great year. I plan on:
- Finding a job(s)
- Launch my website
- Taking blogging seriously and spiffy up this site in the process
- Learn to cook
- Take risks
- Road-trip with the boyfriend
- New tattoo
- Attack my closet
- Move
- Quit apologizing for everything

Black Friday.

I hope everyone survived black friday and scooped up some good deals. Here are some good tunes to listen to while you catch last minute deals shopping online ;)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you are surrounded by loved ones enjoying the holiday. I have so much to be thankful for this year.

1. As always, I am so thankful for my crazy family, I have no clue what I would do without them. We are so dysfunctional but we make it work, and we always have something to laugh about afterwards. I love you guys so much!

2. To my friends ^ in the photos above, the last four years at school have been incredible. I am so thankful for all the memories I have to look back on. And I can't wait to see where we all end up in the near future. <3 

3. Brian, yep, you get your own little section. I love you. The last two years have been incredible, I am so thankful to have you in my life. You have pried me out of my shell and have helped me look at the world in a new way. Thank you.

4. My college education, I am so blessed to have been given the opportunity to refine my design skills the last four years. My classes have pushed me outside my comfort zone, helping me become a more confident and independent woman. I have grown so much.

5. My job, home, food, clothing, etc. 

I am so fortunate for everything in my life. I have to cut this post short in order to get the table and food ready...I just wanted to share. What are all of you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Allison

Field trip

Today my boyfriend and I took a day trip to the Field museum. It is by far may favorite museum. I have been there too many times to count but it still seems new and exciting every time. The building is so beautiful. What I love most about the Field museum is that you can get lost in it's corridors for hours and still only have seen a small portion of the museum.  My favorite exhibits are the Egyptians and the dinosaurs (I mean come on, we have the most complete T.Rex in the world!). There are hundreds of icicle lights up for the holiday season and it looks so magical. I suggest that if you can, take a trip out there as soon as possible :)

--Also, whales originally were land mammals...who knew?

No pictures of me and the boyfriend, apparently asking people to take our picture is too "nerdy"? My bad, so only photos of the great hall from today. It really was such a fun trip though. I love you Chicago!

I am now off to bake some pies for tomorrow. Can't wait to spend time with family and friends. Hope you all have a lovely holiday.

Tattoo love

I recently got my first tattoo in April as a birthday present to myself. It is a traditional style grouping of roses that take up my entire side (I apologize for the bad picture quality via my macbook).  The tattoo was done by Zach Dole at Freedom Ink Tattoo in Peoria, IL.

When I first got the tattoo I was initially in shock. I think that is a normal reaction to something being so new and permanent. However, I was freaked out because the tattoo was not what I had envisioned at all and it was entirely my fault. I had spent months researching tattoos, styles, as well as images to come up with exactly what I wanted. I had wanted a tattoo since high school but I wanted to wait until I had come up with something perfect to be placed on me forever. So in April when I went to get my tattoo I handed over groupings of different flowers and the style in which I wanted the tattoo - I wanted the tattoo to look like an engraving made up of peonies, roses, and other wild flowers. I let my nerves get the best to me though because once I handed over the images I told the artist he had complete control. He completely changed what I wanted and I still gave him the go ahead, I should have spoken up. Me being initially sad about my tattoo was all on me. The artist is great at what he does and did exactly what I told him to - I let him do whatever he wanted. I was so foolish and naive. Thankfully, the tattoo has really grown on me and I love it now, it just took some time. I am also thankful for the whole experience because I have learned so much from it. I do want to get another tattoo in the near future, but this time...

1. I need to work with the artist.
2. I need to speak up and not let my nerves take control.
3. I need to not have unrealistically high expectations (my problem is that as a designer I need everything to perfect. Just because something isn't exactly as I envisioned it does not mean that it isn't the right solution.)
4. I need to just breathe and have fun!

I know I sound crazy and that these are pretty straightforward steps, but you live and you learn. I can be really shy to a fault (hence the name shyscout) and this experience really has taught me that I need to speak up and quit being afraid that I may offend someone - this applies to all areas of my life. With all that being said - I really do want more tattoos. Half sleeve? ;)

Here are some of my favorite tattooers at the moment

1. David Hale 

2. Tiny Miss Becca

3. Guen douglas

(check out her tumblr ^ she has so many gorgeous tattoos by Guen and other artists)

4. Guy Le Tatooer

5. Jason Vaughn