Picture This

Just figured it'd be nice to share some photos from my personal collection on a bloody hot day. As a self-proclaimed photographer (really though, who with a camera isn't?), there's never a moment that I'm not tempted to snap up! Snap up, snap? 

Yes, I just threw another pun your way.

I could never thank my lovely father enough for my Nikon D300s! Though I'm only an amateur, it's such an easy camera to use and very light for being a DSLR. I plan on utilizing more of the accessories it came with, but what I really need... 

... is a fish-eye lens.

We all agree, yes?

(btdubs since this post is so long, please do me the honor of clicking "Read More >>" to see some of my favorite photos!)

Just a quick pic of the sash I wore as a hairband today; the print&colours are just toooooo gooooooddd~

'Twas 82ºF...

... and the sun was playing peek-a-boo with the clouds and me!

It was the perfect weather for a light knit top and breezy eazy shorts. It's just too bad I had to spend most of my day in school!

Usually I'm sporting flip-flops; my absolute go-to shoe because I can't stand wearing socks! Not to say I don't love them, which I do, but my feet just easily get congested... you know?

Anyway, I'm training myself to get over it (really thick, soft socks were the biggest part of my training regime).

BUT IT'S SUMMER SPRING! So give me high heels (but comfortable flip-flops for school)! And can I just say one word... scallops. 
They're delish, they're adorbs. 
Scalloped shorts make me want scalloped EVERYTHING.

Top: Vintage Striped Knit//Shorts: Gianni Bini via Dillard's//Flip-Flops: Antonio Melani//Flower Wedges: Chinese Laundry//Watch: Seiko//Silver Chain Bracelet: gifted//Necklace (as bracelet): gifted, Marc by Marc Jacobs//Pearl Necklace: gifted

I'm really digging this cooler weather, it gives me time to hold on to a few more fall/winter pieces I love. Here's to great dressing for us all~

Yoshi x Out

Birthday Haul

My birthday was awesome! Thanks to all my friends and family!

A special thank you to my sister! Her post was cute, and I loved the Leo. D. pictures!

Here are some snapshots of my birthday haul.

 

A pink shirt from my best friend! She got it in L.A.!

 

A heart locket necklace

 Pink flower headband

V.I.P. Birthday Party Pass

Teal sandals

 elf make-up

Birthday Cake Oreo (limited edition)

Homemade pretzel-walnut puppy chow

I love birthdays!

It's A Birthday!

Happiest Birthday to

My Favorite Sister!

Here's to always being there for me and always doing your best! You help me keep my head on straight and though we bicker it's as they say; 

"Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of.  You know whatever you do, they'll still be there."

-Amy Li

It's a privilege to chat, shop, picture, laugh, eat, gripe, drive, sing, blog, and everything else with a best friend.

Young, YOUNG, Leonardo DiCaprio~

Images (from top to bottom): 1&2&6, 3, 4, 5, 7

Currently Reading

I am currently reading the following magazines:

One fun magazine about movies and another one about news. It's important to know current events, and be entertained!

Bloomberg Businessweek is a weekly magazine that I receive. It gives articles about domestic and international business related news, i.e. mergers, employment rates etc.
This is my first year receiving this subscription and I enjoy the information it provides. I usually read it in the morning with my breakfast.

As you can tell from our blog posts, my sister and I LOVE THE HUNGER GAMES! Jennifer Lawrence is a fantastic actress. I can't wait 'til Catching Fire!
This magazine gave great behind-the-scenes information on this movie and upcoming blockbusters. 
FYI- The Dark Knight Rises looks phenomenal!


Peace,       Gizmo

'Twas 81ºF...

... with the high, high chance of thunderstorms; except that instead of any sort of rain or booms, the sun shined like crazy and it just turned out to be humid. 

So, Humid.

It's only another kick in the-- reminder that summer is jusssst around the corner! It'd be nice if summer could just wait a bit longer though; I'm not quite ready to sweat to death yet.

Just a quick note, sunshine makes me really happy but also very lazy, which is why I'm so doubly happy that here's an outfit I can easily sport all the time, incorporate the pieces into other outfits, and accessorize like crazy >> holla`.

Self-professed simplicity obsessor.

By the way, that purple thing on my hand? Yeah, it's just some paint from my art class... No worries!

T-Shirt: Hanes Supersoft V-neck//Jeans: Gap//Belt: Calvin Klein//Shoes: Old Navy//Neon Watch: Target (similar one here)//Silver Bracelet: gifted//Silver Moon necklace: JCP

Nothing too expensive on, but cheap can be extremely comfortable too; and boy, was I comfy. These capris are supremely stretchy and soft and the v-neck is CALLED supersoft. Uhm, definitely tees up to its name (if you caught that pun attempt, I'm so proud of you!).

NEON FOR SUMMER, NEON FOR SUMMER, NEON FOR SUMMER~ please? <3

Yoshi x Out

Review: Facial Cleanser

To help you, I'm gonna sacrifice my T-zone oily skin for experimentation!

This morning I used the following face wash:

Pros:

• Smells great
• Gave me a wake-up jolt
• Relatively inexpensive (Online @ Wal-Mart= $9.94 for a 2 pack )
• When I use it in the spring, my skin feels nice.

Cons:

• When I used it in the winter, my skin felt tight and dry. Which can be because of the dry winter air. I fixed this w/ facial lotion.
• Since it's a morning cleanser, it's not suppose to be used for night, which means I have to buy another facial cleanser to use for night (However I don't! I have a conspiracy theory that Clean & Clear is trying to increase profits by creating separate cleansers, when it's unnecessary.)

In conclusion, I would not purchase this item again. Thankfully I didn't have to! 'Cause a roommate of mine gave it to me, since her sensitive skin didn't like it either!

However, if you're skeptical about the opinion of a blogger you've never met, I understand. 

So purchase at your skin's peril!

<3,      Gizmo

P.S. If you've had a different experience w/ this cleanser, I encourage you to leave a comment!

Thrifted Treasures

I thrifted the following this weekend at a garage sale:

A pretty candle and MY GIRL!!! 

*Don't worry, I wipe down all my thrifts w/ wet, sanitized wipes.

The candle is a 3-wick, Midnight Pomegranate from Bath & Body Works's Signature Collection. It smells SO good! And the pink color's my favorite!

I like lighting candles in my room and bathroom. It gives great ambiance, and watching the flames flicker is way calming.

My Girl on dvd!!! This classic movie throws me back to my childhood. The main character is a sweet girl, Vada, who's best friend is Thomas. Together, they take on life's challenges, mainly death.

"Where are his glasses? He can't see without his glasses"-- Vada

Watching it now, this movie brings upon waves of nostalgia and gets me all teary eyed. I love that I have it on dvd!

Don't be afraid to check out random garage sales! You never know what you'll find, or rediscover!

*Disclaimer, all posts are opinions of the author, with no influence by corporations, companies, etc.

Motivational Monday

Mondays always seem to know how to make me terribly tired and grouchy in the morning, and as the day goes on it always gets better.

Then I think to myself, literally every week, that Monday isn't so bad. In fact, I quite like Mondays.

Yeah no... I've yet to overcome my groaning at an upcoming Monday or griping along with my friends about the start of five more days of school.

But that's not what this is about; I'm going to start spreading the Monday love (and by start I mean make you go along the loving journey with me!).

1 Skirt = 2 Ways

How I wear a patterned skirt two ways in one day.

Skirt's from JCPenney

Pretty pleats!

Close-up of the pretty pattern on the skirt:

1st Outfit: 

This outfit is work appropriate, and I wore it to the office.

Outfit Breakdown:

T-shirt- Old Navy

Cardigan- Hollister

Skirt- JCPenney

Shoes- Michelle D via Dillards

2nd Outfit:

Using the same skirt, I changed up for a casual outing with the family.

Outfit Breakdown:

T-shirt- Old Navy

Skirt- JCPenney

Sandals- Old Navy

Excuse my awkward arm poses! I don't know where to place them!

XOXO, Gizmo

DIY Hunger Games T-Shirt

If you read my last post (in which at this point you should quickly scroll down and then continue reading this so you have, indeed, read my last post), you'd know of my Hunger Games obsession. Which I now officially deem an obsession. Never one to buy generic, mass-produced shirts, I chose to make my siblings and I shirts.

Oh yes, also because it's much, MUCH cheaper and customizable; hooray for DIY!

**This sort of method can be used to make practically ANY sort of shirt. I have amazing Harry Potter ones too!**

Materials Needed:

T-Shirt (I used Hanes T-shirts from here)

Spray Paint

Cardboard

Scissors/Quick Cutting Blade

Pencil/Marker

Masking Tape

 

(Go on, "Read more"!)

Book Review

I love to read! It's been a favorite past time since I was little.

When I heard that Tina Fey wrote an autobiography, Bossypants, I was excited! However, with school I haven't had time to read non-academic books until this week.

Autobiographies are great reads, because it allows people to reflect and share what their own personal thoughts were during events in their lives. 

Tina Fey's a great female role model. I enjoyed her on Saturday Night Live (SNL) and love her on NBC's 30 Rock! I had high hopes for her book, because she writes comedy for a living, and I was not disappointed. Bossypants was fantastic. Well written and hilarious! Tina's a great wit, which made her story fun-to-read. 

I highly recommend this book to all who want a quick, fun, and easy read.

Cheers,

Gizmo

Game Hungry

THE. HUNGER. GAMES.

I had read the series almost two years ago and am proud to have been a supporter for so long. But I never thought it would reach the popularity that it has today, and I must say I'm still supremely proud. The movie, I know you've heard of it, came out yesterday and it was FABULOUS.

FABULOUS in the sense that one of Katniss's scenes nearly made me headache-to-death. 

But still FABULOUS.

(The nails I wore in honor of the Hunger Games)

Above it's a bit hard to tell, but the base coat is a light bronze shimmer color. Pretty pale under flash, but it's there!

(NYC "In a Minute" Quickdry via Wal-Mart, Warpaint Beauty's Volcano Crackle: Hot Topic, Ni-Mei Nail Enamel: some store in China)

This time, Warpaint Beauty came through for me! The Crackle works amazingly quick and has a matte finish look. Though when applying, be careful to do it quick or it will gloop.

Yes, gloop. (I think you can understand what I mean with that... word).

It's a long post, I understand, but bear with me for the next one about the DIY Hunger Game Shirts I made!

My brother, sister, and I in our shirts.

"AND MAY THE ODDS BE EVER IN YOUR FAVOR"

Outfit Of The Day

Outfit of the Day: I always dress for the weather, and today was cloudy in the mid-50s.

Outfit Breakdown:

Tank-top- Walmart

Cardigan- Old Navy

Jeans- Only (bought in 2008)

Flip-flops- Born via Dillards

Earrings- gift from a friend

Pros- An easy going outfit that can go from running errands to coffee with friends.

Cons- Not enough accessorizing, or colors for spring!

Polished (Nail-wise)

I've been experiencing a massive nail-polish obsession this year and what's a better time than Spring to paint them on? 

You might answer Summer, but for the sake of the season it's Spring.

Recently I bought some cheap nail-polish from Hot Topic because I figured cheap nail-polish + good quality = awesome!

(Pretty in Pink from: Hot Topic, White from: n/a)

Heck, I thought they turned out pretty good; until I realized quite a few problems. Not only does the pink show up much brighter than I thought (I was excited for its pastel look), but the polish doesn't apply smoothly and using a top coat of clear polish actually strips the pink off. Needless to say, I am no longer excited and am eager to return it...

(How it really showed up after one day and the attempted top-coat...)

First post!

WELCOME to Gizmo & Yoshi!

This blog chronicles the lives of two Chinese-American sisters.

We invite you to follow us on our journey of self-discovery, style, taste and life.

God bless,

Gizmo & Yoshi