Happy got a haircut :]

She actually looks like a girl now, lol.

Completed Decoden Project: Kawaii Hime iTouch case! + The Who, What, Where, & How-to's of Decoden ♥

Hey everyone! Here today to share my latest completed decoden project, an iTouch case!

This project took me approximately 5 hours (of course, I took lots of breaks in between :P) and cost me roughly $60. Deco'd cases for iPhone, Nintendo DS, and other items seem to have really been rising in popularity lately, and I can see why they cost upwards of $90. It takes A LOT of time, materials, and patience to fully deco one of these cases. But it is really fun and rewarding!

This post is for anyone who is interested in doing their own deco projects, buying deco materials, or a buying a pre-deco'd case.

What is decoden?

Deco-Den [デコ電] — which literally means, DECOration DENwa / phone that is encrusted in Swarovski, rhinestones, glitter, seals and paint. Deco-den doesn't only include phones, it can be how you decorate your keys, makeup sets, camera, etc. (source)

Who created decoden?

"Japanese ‘Hime-Den’ [姫電] comes from Hime meaning “Princess” and Den for Denwa or phone. Hime-Den refers to girlly keitais who have money — average and total monthly cellphone bill for a regular Hime-Den is about 60,000 yen per month or $530 USD and time to decorate their phone! (source)" -- don't quote me on that... but that's what I found through google :P ...Nowadays, decoden is popular with a wider audience... anyone who likes kawaii/hime/gyaru style!

Where to buy decoden materials?

I would HIGHLY recommend Sophie and Toffee as your first stop. They are based in Singapore and all prices are in SGD, so in USD; it is SO much cheaper! Their prices are already extremely low compared to many US distributors (who I honestly feel overcharge for their products) and shipping is only SGD$4... roughly $2.90 USD. They have a HUGE selection... a decoden lover's paradise ;)

The other two main places that I personally buy from are Yukiumi and Strapya. Yukiumi has a nice selection of deco materials but they are on the pricey side. Strapya is based in Japan and they also have a huge selection but the prices really vary. Shipping is also kind of pricey but it is rather quick.

Decoden materials can also be found on Etsy for various prices from various sellers.

Where to buy pre-made cases (iPhone)?

• Yukiumi -- from $69.95 and up
• Etsy -- various prices/sellers
  • PinkyAnela (~$100-160, does custom orders too)
  • Blissbead ($39.99-79.99)
  • Starsdeco ($25-$85)
  • Charmmy Couture ($55)

For the Do-It-Yourselfers:

Here's the breakdown of where I bought my deco supplies and how much it cost me to deco my iTouch case:

FROM EBAY


2nd Gen iTouch Case -- $3.99, free shipping

If you want it PINK, don't buy this case. It is "hot pink" but is actually a bright fluorescent neon-orange "pink" and looks nothing like in the picture. I was resent a CLEAR case -- a better choice because you can paint the inside whatever color you want. I used OPI's Oh So Glam nail polish for a light pearl pink.

FROM YUKIUMI



Silver Crown (metal) 1 pc. -- $3.95



Pearls/Gems Combo A -- $14.95

This combo is worth it. You get so many different pieces. All you need for a quick deco project. And you will have LOTS left over. I would go with white because you can easily paint it whatever color you want.

~$3 shipping
TOTAL -- $21.95

FROM STRAPYA



Cellphone decoration/nail art glue w/ picker -- $6.00

This glue is VERY VERY VERY sticky and VERY messy. The picker is cute but doesn't work that well. I got glue all over my hands and it pretty much sticks to everything and stays there for a really long time. Not even washing took it off right away. But it works really well and bonds everything to the case securely. The tube looks really tiny but I still have more than half a tube left after deco-ing the entire case.

Franche 8mm Width Jewel Charm Part (Korilakkuma) -- $3.50
Franche Famous Character Parts for Strap/Bracelet 6mm Width Korilakkuma -- $3.50

These are actually for phone straps, but they have a flat bottom surface so you can easily glue them down. Most of you know I have an obsession with Korilakkuma so of course, I had to include him somewhere ;)

~$7.50 shipping
TOTAL -- $17.50

FROM SOPHIE & TOFFEE



Japanese Craft Supplies Cabochon - Lolita Ribbon(I got pink)
SGD S$0.60 each
Measures 19mm



Stunning Crystal Faux Pearl Heart Cabochon
SGD S$2.10 each
Measures 22mm



High Quality Clear Crystal Silver Chain - Half yard 2.5mm
SGD S$7.00
Rhinestones measures 2.5mm



Round Clear Faceted Rhinestone Set - 200pcs 2.5mm
SGD S$2.60
Measures 2.5mm



Clear Acrylic Faceted Rhinestones Set - 200pcs 4mm
SGD S$3.70
Measures 4mm



Unique Flower Cabochon (I got one white & one pink)
SGD S$0.80 each
Measures 15mm

SGD$4 shipping

TOTAL -- $15.93 (USD)

OVERALL TOTAL:
$59.37

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Decoden How-to & Tips

• It's cheaper (and funner and feels more rewarding) to decoden your items yourself!
• If you want to use something less messy than glue but something that's still strong, try an adhesive sheet or adhesive dot sheet.
• Pre deco'd sticker sheetsare great for quick decoden projects! -- I used one to deco my cellphone.
• Search around to find the cheapest prices for materials or cases. Some places are really overpriced.
• Ebay is the best place to buy cheap cases and most sellers have free, fast shipping and excellent customer service.
• Tweezers are REALLY helpful :)
• A full decoden project can take several hours... patience pays off ;)

Love Pack from LOLANNE!!! ♥

Hello loves! Today I wanted to share this freaking amazing love pack I got from the lovely miss LOLAnne... the sneakiest, sweetest, generous, AND probably the funniest blogger I know ;)

She had a "hidden" giveaway in one of her posts awhile ago... so I entered! And recently I was talking about how I wanted to try more MAC lippies after my bad experience with their Lustreglass. So she offered to send me a Dazzleglass Creme in "Do it up." Little did I know, it was because she needed to get my address because I had actually WON that super secret giveaway she had! SNEAKY SNEAKY!

I got the package a few days ago...
and was greeted with animal butts! XD

And what else?

OMFGPENGUINAMIBABY!!!!! ♥♥♥
Soooo kawaii!
And MORE?!


OMG Anne, thank you SO MUCH ♥
She even included a MAC Mineralize Blush in "Pleasantry" (because she knows I'm on the biggest blush kick EVER right now XP)... and lots of candy!


Group shot : ) ♥

This is Pleasantry on my cheeks & Do It Up on my lips, over Maybelline Pink Please. I have to say I really like the formulation of the Dazzleglass Cremes. So smooth and don't feel sticky to me at all! Pigmentation is fabulous. Do It Up is a little bright on its own for me, but layered over a lighter lipstick, it makes a pretty, glossy, bright pink ♥ Definitely want to get my hands on more of these glosses. Pleasantry is such a soft pretty baby pink...love it too!

One last shot...
Thank you so much again, Anne!!! ♥ ya ;)
...and now I have your address. Muahahaha XD

I'm back ♥ NOTD + hauls [pic heavy]

Hello loves & new followers! I'm back from Oahu with a few things to share ♥

Glad to say that the shipping nightmare is over and the new toy should be arriving tomorrow! Last week I finally got around to yanking out my tail lights (one had a crack on the bottom) and stealing swapping em for the boytoy's pristine ones. Effed my poor, brittle nails in the process... which I guess was good, because they'd been needing a new look!

Hime-gyaru inspired NOTD

What I used:

- 2 coats OPI "Oh So Glam!"
- 1 coat Ulta Super sheer nail gloss "Princess"
- 1 coat Wet N Wild "Kaleidescope" glitter
- 1 coat Nailene acrylic strong topcoat
- Konad nail art rhinestone stickers

It turned out a metallic milky pink w/ silver glitter. Looks like doodoo in the pix but a lot nicer in real life. My fav part was the nail art stickers, I bought them from the craft fair I wrote about awhile ago and they are SO CUTE!

Unfortuneately they do not last very long, even with top coat, unless I needed to add a lot more :/ I've had them on for only 3 days and plenty of the stones are peeling off :(

↓ My favorite was my thumb ^^

Onto hauls! ♥
Sorry if you don't like reading long posts, I interspersed with some mini overviews about my thoughts on the products :P

From Don Quijote:

• Sana concealer (light beige)
  This is really lightweight and goes on smooth. Coverage is sheer but I haven't worked with it enough to know if I like it or not... it's just so cute!
• Shiseido Water in Lip lipbalm (Unscented & Raspberry)
  Super smooth and creamy, moisturizing. The pink one smells great!
• 24hour waterproof eyebrow pencil & liquid
  Idk the brand but it was expensive -_- haven't used it yet but I did swatch it on my hand, rubbed it around and it didn't budge! Promising!
• 3 NYX nail polishes There's extras for a reason (;
• NYX cupcake gloss... they're just so cute! There's extras for a reason (;
• 3 NYX round lipstick (Orange soda) There's extras for a reason (;Creamy & lovely slight peachy nude ♥
• Kanebo Naive facial cleansing foam (aloe)This stuff is super creamy and rich and leaves my skin feeling ultra-squaky clean. Smells good too.
• Hair brush
• Gatsby hair dye for the MisterJapanese dye is pretty much the shit. His hair is now exactly the same color on the box.
• 2 Pairs Red Cherry falsies
• Don Quijote spray hand sanitizer
  Cause I can't resist the DonKi penguin XD
• Don Quijote lip balm

From Sephora:

• I ♥ Sephora brush set.
  Saw it in a magazine and fell in love. Have not used yet, but the bristles are super soft!
• Philosophy Purity made simple one-step facial cleanser (not pictured).
  I expected to be WOWED with this cleanser for some reason... but to me, it was just Okay.

From iKandy:

• Pink cupcake charm = SO KAWAII!
• Turquoise heart throb tee. I am no "heart throb" :P but it was one of the few size smalls she had. I love it though!

Represent ♥

From Marukai mart:

• 3 Rilakkuma/Korilakkuma folders. Yay!
• Falsies... wanted to try them out. I donno the brand.
• Mini wet wipes... again, one of those things that's just so cute, you have to get it.
• Dr. Grip Korilakkuma pen. Another $12 wasted (I just bought a similar one), but I just can't help myself! ~_~

And now, what I REALLY went up for...
From Nordstrom Rack:

I've been needing an actual wallet even though I don't carry much cash around... lovesit!

I bought this earlier today and deeply regret it, as later in the day I came upon the Heritage Crest Baby Fluffy at Nordstrom... and decided to pass it up because I had already gotten this bag ;_; *tear* so if anyone has one of the aforementioned bag and would want to sell, PLEASE lmk :(

From LeSportsac:

I love leopard print (and any animal print)

And PENGUINS, of course! Been eyeing this print for awhile now ^^ This bag is super spacious! It has 3 big compartments + lotsa pockets

I have drooled over
Kidrobot hoodies, bags, & toys for the longest time (I really want a Labbit!) and finally got on my 1st Kidrobot bag, yay! And I found it at Ross for deals! (even though I stood in line for more than 30 min)

And... my new love ♥
What can I say... it was love @ first sight (not for my wallet). I am not much of a fan of the Heritage Stripe collection but this just called to me. The interior is pink too *dies*

I hope you don't think I only thought of myself on this trip :P I bought a lotta junk for the Mister too.. he is sucha spoiled brat but I do like to spoil my boy so that's no help either *sigh* ♥ Oh and there's a Victoria's Secret now! I went in but the lines were SOOO long so I didn't get to buy anything :(

I hope you're all having a great week, and Merry Christmas in advance!

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