And sorry for my lack of posts the past few days.  I, uh, have some excuse or another.  Like, actually having a lot of work to do on Friday and then finding out I’m a new guest blogger for Kimberly Wilson (check out my “$ense and $ensibility” posts on her blog every Monday starting January 4th) and then getting ready to go home for the holidays and then that whole snow storm thing (which didn’t cut out my internet or anything, I just wanted to play in it).  Right.  Anyway.

A friend sent me this news story last week and I just saw it on MSNBC this morning. A 27 year old Tokyo man has married a video game character.  I could go on and on about my dissertation research on Japanese pop culture and art and how this is totally representative of the otaku culture and young Japanese people not being able to express real feelings to others, hence the rise of a hierarchy of anime and video game characters that fit into nice categories people can understand and also the rise of the kawaii and the juvenilization (is too a word) of young women, but I’m tired and have to wake up ridiculously early to catch my flight tomorrow.  So I’ll leave it there so I can go watch some anime now.

-Kaks

Time for another new Vocaloid Wallpaper pack since I’ve been collecting a bunch of Vocaloid wallpapers over the past few weeks. And since it is near the holiday season, I guess giving you some wallpaper packs will be a best of deal and present for you. And yes boys and girls, I’m talking about not one wallpaper pack but some wallpaper packs until the 23rd December before I depart to Semarang for the Christmas holiday. So, happy holiday guys and enjoy my wallpaper collections!

Decora stils radās 90.to gadu otrajā pusē,un popularitāti ieguva,kad ielu modes fotogrāfs Šoiči Aoki žurnālā FRUiTS publicēja daudzus attēlus ar šī stila piekritējiem.Šī iemesla dēļ nezinātāji to kļūdaini mēdz saukt par FRUiTS  stilu.

Šī stila raksturīgākās iezīmes ir kārtu kārtās savilkti apģērba gabali un bērnišķīgi aksesuāri milzīgā daudzumā(it īpaši  rokassprādzes,matu sprādzes,brilles  un – neparasti – krāsainas ķirurģiskās maskas).

Visbiežāk tērpos ir daudz rozā krāsas,bet eksistē stila paveids koteosa,kurā pamatā izmanto melno krāsu.

Vienlaicīgi decorām ir pastāvējis arī fairy kei jeb feju stils,kurš pēdējā laikā palicis diezgan populārs,visticamāk tādēļ,ka ir daudz piemērotāks valkāšanai ikdienā.Fairy kei aizsāka dizaineris Sebastians Masuda,kur 96. gadā atvēra veikalu ”6%DOKIDOKI”,kurā tirgoja šāda veida apģērbus.Tajā izmanto pavisam gaišas krāsas un mazāk rotaslietu.

Slow day today and now it’s already 5 o’clock evening. I think I will be going home now but I guess I’ll post a new Rainmeter skin which I made during the afternoon break. It’s Nagato Yuki in her maid costume. I know I already featured her picture in the clock version but since I got her full body picture, I guess I have to made the new design version of her. Cheers.

Skin Name: Nagato Yuki Rainmeter

File Size: 88 KB

Color Theme: Light Blue

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/file/jmvnindbtwy/NagatoYuki.rar

Note: Installation and usage of this skin can be observed on the Rainmeter section. Happy downloading!

Holiday is near and I’m gearing up to go to Semarang for my High School reunion. It’s cold in my office and the weather is really not friendly. I’m still half sick but I think I’ll survive the day. Anyway, happy holidays for you all guys. This is the today’s wallpaper of the week.

This is actually a request from Manjyome for a Rina from Luminous Arc 2 Rainmeter skin. Since I’ve posted a lot of common Rainmeter skin over the past 6 months, I think it’s time for a change. I took the liberty to use a new rainmeter skin and this time I modified a Rainmeter skin from Gordan. I think this will be my new Rainmeter skin design if I have a full body picture. Tell me what you think about this skin design, guys. Thanks.

Skin Name: Rina Rainmeter

File Size: 121 KB

Color Theme: Brown

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/file/mykrk0mx5mw/Rina.rar

Note: Installation and usage of this skin can be observed on the Rainmeter section. Happy downloading!

how cute! these cat paper clips are from muji in japan. for those who dont know, muji is an AMAZING store that is similar to ikea. when oh when will it come to australia!

Charms are back! :3 Whee! I just added this series of Peter Pan Charms to the ZLY Shop and I’m really excited by their cuteness. You can choose from Peter, Wendy, or Tiger Lily, all on bright, super sparkly backgrounds.

Also, I have decided to reduce the price of all the charms in the Mix/Match Charm section of the shop :3 most charms will be going from $8.50 to $7.00 Yay!

The titles makes you wonder, hmm?

This is SOOOO cute. AND Rikka-free. Ohemgee.

SCREENCAPS:

Damn, what homework.

Amu-chan, you’re cute as always!~

If I ever got that much homework, I’d cry. :^D

AMIIII!~~~~~ I don’t remember the last time we saw her, but it was definitely not in Party until now!

That’s gotta suck, having to take care of her, and still have to do her homework. =/

Even cleaning and laundry. Damn.

Poor Amu. But, you’ll live.

Crud, she made a mess already.

Yay, gotta clean! It’s more like boo, though.

LMAO. I just love Dia’s additional pose there.

I really want Su. Then I could bake myself something delicious in no time.

Unfortunately for Su, Ami didn’t like it as much as their mom’s, so Su ran away XD

Hey, I wanna play too~

It’s just a bit weird though… This is (in Japan) the last episode before Christmas, and they’re playing with water guns. I guess it’s because it’s almost April in the Shugo Chara! anime world…

I want to take a ride in Hikaru’s limousine~

Lol. Ami squirted her ass, so now it looks like she had an accident.

Aww, Ami. Moeness to the max.~

Run for cover!!!! Oh yeah, I did this for fun:

:^D

That looks like so much fun~~

Lol, poor Hikaru is drenched. XD

Gee, does Hikaru research everything? XD

Of course she’s hungry, the sun’s now setting XD

Su hath returned!!

"My curry rice has been completed!!"

That looks really good, actually. 8D

Aww. Just like your onee-chan.

Oh, u forgot to do ur homework. Amu-chan, Amu-chan.

Aww man, now Ami’s “sick”….

This screencap brings back memories of Episode 65…..

Well, at least she wasn’t completely sick, but d’aww.

Aww. Now THAT’S really cute.

If I were a parent, I’d react the same way XD

No matter how hard she tries, there’ll be no way she finishes that before school XD

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alright. I don’t think I’ll be doing 13…so.. stay tuned!

It’s time for Fruity Cuties to get festive! So it’s the Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker ballet as you’ve never seen her before!

not mine, just got it on the internet

awww… aren’t they cute?

Whooot Oriana’s back from renovating her store and sim and she has come bearing gifts. You really need to check out the lucky “chairs” she built.  They are to the right when you walk in the store.  Words fail me to describe how awesome it looks.  All I could say was “Wow!”  Before I start showing you the gifts, I had to grab this dress (a *steal* at L$100).  I must have missed this when it first came out, but it’s a lovely new-to-me frock,  called Shandi, in a lovely monochrome shade, which comes with optional lingerie beneath.  It also comes in many other colors.  The hair is a newer style from Nightshade called Lenore.

I’m also wearing one of the Dilly Dolls Christmas gifts, the Buckled Snowflake Dolly Pumps.  (Ignore the black straps above the pumps, I failed at removing the straps from the last pair of shoes I had on. O_0)

So, you want to see the gifts?  Ok, read on…….

First up is the latest Group Gift from Oriana.  It’s the light brown version of the Shandi dress and lingerie.  I’ve paired it with hair from analog dog in one of my favorite new ginger shades.  Also worn is the Fab Free Group’s gift from Heartsick – a lovely skin with green shadow and pink lips.  Join now!  It’s free and the group is being *showered* with gifts!

Want more?  Well, good, coz Oriana’s not finished spoiling you.  Here’s the Kawaii Koala Dress in Yellow.  This was fun to accessorize.  The outfit comes with the monster boots, too.

Still not finished!  There are also three different sculpted sweaters with scarves, funny hats, and Dakota plushies for you to hold – Santa, Reindeer, and Christmas Tree.

Phew!!  I have so much respect for bloggers like Whisper Swansong – how does she do it??!!

All details below…..

Happy hunting, gathering, shopping, lovin’ (^ ^), etc. *mwah*!

Details (coz life is in the..)

Photo 1:

Dress with Lingerie underneath – Dilly Dolls – Shandi – Light Grey (sleeves not worn) – not free

Skin – Heartsick – Amor E Morte – Aether -Libertina Grimm

Eyes – Shine - Lustrous Argent

Earrings – Ear Candy – Silver Drop Earrings (old hunt gift)

Necklace – chuculet - ava – silver – pearly white dollarbie

Bangle (right) – chuculet - ava – silver dollarbie

Bangle (left) – Kunstkammer – Silver Rosary Strung Bead Bracelet (DSN 5/09)

Shoes – Dilly Dolls – Buckled Snowflake Dolly Pumps (xmas gift)

Hair – Nightshade - Lenore – Silver

**********************************************************

Photo 2:

Dress with lingerie – Dilly Dolls – Shandi – Light Brown – group gift

Hair - analog dog – Kelly – cherry

Skin – Heartsick – Illusion – Fab Free 8000 Members gift (join Fab Free and look in notices)

Eyes – same as above

Necklace – U&R Dogs - Partita Necklace (lucky chair) colorchange

Earrings - Duh! - Orange Agate Gold Dangles

Right Bangle – Something Different – Fire Agate Bead Bracelet (from the bowels of my inventory)

Shoes – Dilly Dolls – Bows & Ribbons Dolly Pumps (colorchange) not new

**********************************************************

Photo 3:

Dress, including boots – Dilly Dolls – Kawaii Koala Yellow Christmas Gift

Hair – analog dog - Kelly – copper

Eyes and Skin – same as above

Earrings and Necklace – Star Kindler – Star Green Gold/Atomic

Right Bracelet – DM Designs – Stone Dreams Cuff Bracelet

Left Bracelet – eLDee – Line bangles (green)

**********************************************************

Photo 4:

All sweaters by Dilly Dolls

Middle:

Xmas Dakota Reindeer Sweater – Christmas Gift

Shoes – Dilly Dolls – Buckled Snowflake Dolly Pumps – Christmas Gift

Leggings – *+*Jill*+* – part of Christmas group gift

Hair, eyes, skin, jewelry – same as above

Left:

Xmas Dakota Santa Sweater – Christmas Gift

Leggings – Duboo - Santa’s Gift Set 3 – Leggings 1 – available at the Black Market stall

Hair – analog dog – kelly – brown sugar

Eyes, skin, shoes, and jewelry – same as above

Right:

Xmas Dakota Tree Sweater – Christmas Gift

Leggings – Duboo - Santa’s Gift Set 3 – Leggings 3 – available at the Black Market stall

Hair, skin, eyes, jewelry, shoes – same as above

What rushes into my heart and my skull I can’t control
Think about it, feel it in my bones
What rushes into my heart and my skull I can’t control

I feel you in my bones
You’re knocking on my windows
You’re slow to letting me go
And I know this feel oh-so
This feeling in my bones

Worn :

Hair – ‘Shell snail *black*’ by ((JUNWAVE))

Skin – ‘Lyla’ by Redgrave

Scarf – ‘KNIT scarf g2_border / red’ by AOHARU

Top (and neck prim) – (part of) ‘My plaid dress’ by (Milk Motion)

Top (undershirt) – ‘Puff sleeve top’ by Second Wave Apparel (Sioxie legend)

Skirt -  [Holly]  (group gift) by >TRUTH<

Socks – ‘Knit Knee socks . red’ by (Shiny Things)

Shoes – ‘Knit legwarmers+heels red’ (jeans included) by ANEXX

Gloves – ‘EXMORE gloves v2  [black]‘ by CheerNo.

]]> http://abyslife.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/banana-sprinkle-cupcakes/ Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:43:58 +0000 Aby http://abyslife.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/banana-sprinkle-cupcakes/

Hi guys! My second challenge of the day is Banana Sprinkle Cupcakes

Why? See, one of my friend, Taro, is here in Brissie and staying over for a night with his friend, Midori. They’re leaving to Perth tomorrow night and I offered to drive them to the airport. And while they were playing around with Guitar Hero, Taro said he was craving for a banana cake. and so, I made that as my second challenge!

I love making cupcakes and even tho I don’t like eating them, I like making them for people to eat and it is a happy thing to see and know when someone appreciated my cakes It brings smile to my face. And so today, I have two assistants, Taro and Midori

 This is Taro, smelling the delicious scent of a fresh banana cake. Trust me, it was that good.

 This is Midori, Taro’s friend (and my friend’s now!) posing with the cuppies~ so kawaii ne~

So these are the freshly baked cupcakes looked like. Very nice golden brown. And the paper cups are so Christmas!

And we waited until they were cold enough so we can put the icing on top of them.

And the final look! Ta Da! looking to delicious!

The verdict: Taste Awesome! very delicious! They kept on eating them before they even cooled down, I had to tell them to back off! seriously, that good  

The recipe were inspired from a book called “500 cupcakes-the only cupcake compendium you’ll ever need” by Fergal Connolly.

But as usual, I found my own recipe to make them prettier, puffer and less oily

Ingredients:

For the Cupcakes

• 224g butter, softened
•  230g caster sugar
• 226 self-raising flour
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 228g mashed ripe bananas

For the Icing

• 175g icing sugar sieved
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 150g butter, softened
• chocolate sprinkles and 100s+1000s for decoration

How to make:

1. preheat the oven to 180 degree C. Place 18 paper baking cases in cupcake tins.
2. combine all the dry ingredients together – flour, sugar, nutmeg and baking powder.
3. combine all the wet ingredients together – butter, eggs and mashed bananas.
4. combine the two of them together and mix well.
5. spoon the batter into the cases.
6. bake for 20 minutes.
7. remove tins from the oven and cool for 5 minutes.
8. then remove the cupcakes and cool on a rack.

To make the icing:

1. mix the softened butter and sugar together.
2. then add the lemon juice, mix.
3. add the vanilla essence, mix well
4. swirl the icing onto the cooled cupcakes.
5. garnish each cupcake with the decoration as you desire

Happy trying guys~

xoxo,

Aby

“It’s pretty impossible to be happy every single day.”

—– Viera, Chiaki’s mentor in conducting, NODAME CANTABILE ^^

It’s a happy day today as I got news from my sister that she has been accepted a place in Anhalt, Germany, for her future study. A little bit sad though since I will not be seeing her for a few months. Even if I continue my study for Master degree pursuit, I will be most likely be in either Bonn or Munchen. So, we might be only seeing each other during the holiday seasons. Ah, time fly so fast and it’s almost 5 years already since I step into my college life. I sometime miss the moment but at the present I’m also happy to meet other new students for me to teach. Anyway, enough for my blabbering here. Here’s the Rainmeter skin, anyway.

Skin Name: Maid Lolita Rainmeter

File Size: 198 KB

Color Theme: Light Blue

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/file/zqz1gzzy5wm/MaidLolita.rar

Note: Installation and usage of this skin can be observed on the Rainmeter section. Happy downloading!

I love this Gothic Kawaii..

Haaaj!! I’ve had quite the busy weekend…and haven’t been around to spread some love *cries* and it’s raining outside, and temperatures have gone way down, I’m freezing. I should stop complaining and just shush it. Oh right, happiness!…vacays starting soon..I miss you christmas vacations, hurry up!! <3 Uma

Worn :

Hair – ‘Nimue . Bistre’ (new) by Maitreya

Skin – ‘Elf – Light [Petal]‘ by Curio/Gala Phoenix (group gift)

Hair accessory – ‘Kawaii polka ribbon’ by [Detour]

Choker – ‘Cameo Choker’ Dark/Silver’ by L&E

Shirt – ‘Guppi (white)’ (part of dress) by [twee]

Underpants (part of white tank top) by Camie Cooper

Vest – ‘Tomomo Loose Vest [DARKDEPTHS]‘ by !Oh

Belt – ‘Cropped pants belt’ by *COCO*

Pants – ‘Draped pants – black’ by (Madsy)

Shoes – ‘Dolled up – black’ by [ATOMIC]

Gloves – ‘Half gloves in fuschia’ by Royal Blue

Just Listed a New Collectible in My Etsy Shop

Wilton Cuddly Teddy Bear Cookie Cutters Set of 4

Teddy Bear Collectible Cookie Cutter Set

Description

Wilton, 1990 , Cuddly Teddy Bear Cookie Cutter Set of 4 in brown hard plastic, finger grips, dishwasher safe with quick release
Has a Vanilla Sugar Cookie Recipe on the back

Set Includes 4 Cute Designs
*Teddy Bear with paw in cookie jar
*Teddy Bear on skateboard
*Teddy Bear Walking
*Teddy Bear Sitting

Measures 4 inches tall.

Brand New Still in Original Package
Rare Kitchen Collectible Soon to be vintage.

Great for other crafts not just baking. Use it for Polymer Clay or cake decorating

Rare Cookie Cutter Set

This Item Ships First Class Mail USPS Domestic and International. MammaRachel is Happy To Ship to Canada and other Countries.

Still in Original Package

For other Vintage and Collectible items check out my previous post:

Remember This! Vintage Tupperware

Vintage and Collectibles on Etsy

View all MammaRachel’s Etsy Store News

Another birthday has made way for yet another awesome day of character sculpting and cake making! Inspiration for this theme goes to the Japanese anime classic “My neighbour Totoro” created and produced by Studio Ghibli <3

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! I wish I would  try  to stay in one place long enough to make hundreds of colourful delights! this, but travelling…. *sigh* Travelling is just so awesome. can someone invent a backpack oven for me please!!!

Yeah… I don’t really feel like writing much at the moment… weather…. is…. so …. hot… *dies

Merry Christmas fellow sweet lovers

<3

Okay, still continuing Kooriryuujin request for Lacus Clyne Rainmeter skin, now I made the info box and winamp version of her. I still use my picture though since she’s cuter in white dress. I hope a flurry pink theme is appropriate to your taste since I mix & match with her hair tone. So, I hope you like this skin and sorry for not using your picture that you’ve searched and downloaded.

Skin Name: Lacus Clyne Rainmeter

File Size: 187 KB

Color Theme: Pink

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/file/nwznztgtnjm/LacusClyne.rar

Note: Installation and usage of this skin can be observed on the Rainmeter section. Happy downloading!

This is actually a request made by Kooriryuujin for a Lacus Clyne Rainmeter skin. I think this girl is from Gundam Seed, huh? (I’m not very fond of the Gundam series except for Gundam Wing). Anyway, I decided to use my own picture if you don’t mind, since this one is cuter (from my personal taste). I hope you don’t mind and like it also. I think I will be working on another Lacus Clyne skin (The one with the box and winamp stuff as usual). So keep anticipating, okay?

Skin Name: Lacus Clyne Calendar

File Size: 148 KB

Color Theme: Pink

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/file/zyyuklzebwz/LacusClyneCalendar.rar

Note: Installation and usage of this skin can be observed on the Rainmeter section. Happy downloading!

kawaii frogs playing with the kawaii bunny

Since I didn’t have time to do a separate post for chapter 5, I now present you a 2 in 1 post! =D OMFG the splash pages are so pretteh~! <33333333 (>w<)

A few things I want to mention before I continue talking about chapters 5 and 6. First, Nagareboshi deserves a great pat on the back for releasing these chapters more quickly. They sure are catching up to the Japanese release! d(^_^)b

Also I won’t bother writing summaries anymore. I suck at them anyways, and I doubt anyone even reads them. o_0 And I lied that I would manually resize the images before uploading (too lazy)

And now for some exciting plot and beautiful art! X3

Thanks Nagareboshi for the scanlations!

Chapter 5:

Aw such an adorable expression~! >//////< Even Shigure can’t help but blush. X3

BAM!!! And the pwnsome Yukina is back in action! (With Shigure’s pwned face on the side) XD lolz

*facepalm*

I can’t take this seriously. Their expressions are too unnatural. OTL XDDDDDDDDD

lolz “by 1%” XD

Anyways, dawwwww. >_<

Yukina makes the most adorable expressions when she doesn’t have her glasses on. (^u^)b Though I think the one before looks cuter than this one.

This is where people go “Kitami, you idiot/jerk/bastard/asshole/(etc)!” D:<

Poor Yukina… ;_; (So different from the usual glaring Yukina)

Feel the guuuuuuuuuiiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllttttttttt. >:(

Well at least Shigure is not totally heartless.

Akira to the rescue!!! *cue Akira fangirls to squeal*

In your face, Shigure! wow, their faces are soooo close XP

And Yukina gets a sweet hug! >w< (Looks a lot like this one)

I like Akira how he is really caring, but I wish I could find out more about him. Like not just the nice-and-caring-cousin-who-loves-Yukina.

Chapter 6:

And then Yukina asks for a kiss from Akira. (I bet most Akira x Yukina fans are like “DO IT!!!!!!!”) But in the end Akira couldn’t bring himself to do it. *shrugs*

“nuuuuuuuu y must u do dis!?!?!!!”

Aww, that really sucks. Stupid other phone novelist. XPPPPP Yukina, faito!

Akira’s hawt eyes! (or eye, I should say) He looks so much different from his usually munchmunchmunch behavior.

Shigure actually cares~~~~ Teehee…. >.<

And now the storyline of Yukina’s cell phone novel!

The mention of a vampire made me think of Twilight >.> lol the heroine of the story is the Ice Princess (sounds familiar…?) But Lilia is pretty~

This part is so cute~!!!! Dawwwwwwww blushing Shigure. >//////< Kyaakyaakyaa

And Yukina is back to her crafty self. I agree, Shigure is cute when he worries! (>w<)b

zomg MORE BLUSHING SHIGURE >////////////////<

So now Yukina is pinned on the infirmary bed with Shigure on top. Serious Shigure x Yukina fangirling here.

Uwah, the chapters always end with a cliffhanger. >.< But I already knows what happens after this, from seeing the raws. More Shigure x Yukina shipping up ahead! X3