what i wore ♥

I haven't done a proper 'outfit of the day' in a while, but i've been determined to get these started up again, but improved a bit this time!  (Not to say this is much of an improvement ha :/).  So it's out with the 'mirror pics' & in with trying to take decent photos of my outfits.  The lighting in my entire house is definitely not photo-friendly, and even if i do find an okay spot to take photos, i have no place to put my camera!  Quite annoying actually.  I have to add, i absolutely hate the pink background on these photos.  I took them in my room (hence the pink walls) - i need to paint my room!  Getting sick of this color anyway.

tank - Forever 21

cardigan - H&M

high-waisted shorts & necklace - Charlotte Russe

 L-R: Pacsun, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe

This outfit's really not too interesting, but i tried something new & realized i quite like it!  It's wearing leggings with a shorter top, but wearing a skirt or shorts over the leggings (but under the top) - wearing leggings as pants is no-no for me!  I'm probably going to try the skirt-leggings combo tomorrow, with another cardigan & top.  (Exciting isn't it?) haha.

I did a presentation for history yesterday on Woodstock, and it actually went really well!  I'm probably not the only one who feels this way, but i find things a lot easier to talk/write about if it's something i actually am interested in or something i enjoy.  That's why i chose to do a presentation on Woodstock and why i'm choosing to do my English paper on The Beatles ♥.

Anyone else as excited for Christmas as i am?!  My friends & i have been planning so many fun things to do in the upcoming month and i cannot wait :).  I might be doing a Christmas wishlist sorta post, but i'm not too sure if it'll be interesting at all, haha.  We'll see!

I'd really like to hear your feedback on this post, would you like to see more of these?  Otherwise i won't go through the trouble of taking the photos & such!  Plz let me know ladies :)

xoxo

♥

Lush's Twilight Bath Bomb ♥

Last night i had the pleasure of using one of Lush's newer bath bombs (aka ballistics) that i got in a recent haul - it's called Twilight.  Now, those of you who may be put off by the name (if you're not to big on the Cullens, hehe) will be relieved to hear that this is not related to the series at all, but the effect it leaves on the bathwater - but more on that later.  This was the first of the Lush bath bombs made with the newer formula that i tried, and i'm really glad i did decide to try it. 

First off - the smell.  It smells absolutely gorgeous, of lavender and mild (not nose-piercing) vanilla.  It's very relaxing & calming, and really helped my mind to slow down a bit.  I actually thought about the English paper i have to write (*ahem* nerd), and figured out what i'm going to talk about - mhm, this never happens haha.

A little bit after plopping Twilight into the tub.  *Froths* haha

The ballistic itself is huge and pink with little stars & a moon stamped on it - how cute! - but fizzes away to reveal a blue inside, how awesome is that?!  Twilight was actually quite enjoyable to watch because it was just bouncing around & frothing - i was literally looking at it and smiling like a dork haha.  It lasted quite a long time in the tub as well, which is really nice.  I don't really like when they just fizz out & leave you sitting there bored!

The blue inner bit :)

This bath bomb was actually named after the way the bathwater looks as it's fizzing out & after the ballistic's all gone.  The water honestly looked SO gorgeous, i literally couldn't stop staring at it - and this is bathwater i'm talking about!  I honestly felt like i was sitting in the night sky, as crazy as that sounds - the water was left a rich purple color, with little specks of glitter (aka stars :) floating around.  Usually i'd be put off by glitter, but you can't feel the specks at all since they're quite fine.  Twilight also left the bathwater really silky & lovely, which my skin really seemed to appreciate :).

The bathwater, with flash & without

This bath bomb is $4.95 and i would definitely repurchase this.  Next time you go into Lush, i suggest you have a whiff of this!  I think Twilight has actually converted me into a ballistic person, i thought the bubble bars were my thing but i am in loveeeee!  This has easily become one of my favorite Lush products for sure :).

Playlist for this bath bomb:

Mr. Blue Sky - ELO - perfect for when you just plop it in the bath and it starts fizzing & frothing haha

Come Away With Me - Norah Jones

Pure Imagination - Gene Wilder

Only the Young - Brandon Flowers

I wrote a post a long time ago about how to take a 'proper' Lush bath, you can read that here :)

Happy bathing!

xoxo

♥

November in Photos

Before i start this post, i would like to say a big hello to all my new followers!  I'm assuming you all came from the lovely Sabrina's blog (i've already thanked you but, thank you girly :).  So welcome to Big City Dreams, hope you like what you find here ♥ *hugs*.  

If you haven't noticed already, i added a 'reads' page with a list of amaze-tastic blogs for you girls to check out.  Go have a little look if you fancy it!

The months have been just flying by lately - didn't the Valentine's Day goodies at Lush just come out a couple weeks ago?  Haha, goodness me.  Thanks for all the 'happy Thanksgiving's, i had quite a pleasant one!  I'm jealous of all of you who have snow where you live already - there was a brief flurry by me a few days ago, but it just melted right away.  It's not supposed to be a very snowy winter where i live which is kind of sad :/.  I love white Christmases!  Well i thought i'd share with you what i've been doing this past November.  It wasn't too adventurous, but kinda lovely nonetheless.  Happy December if i don't see you by Wednesday!

My November consisted of:

Awesome sunrises, pretty lighting, a trip downtown, a lot of Wii, rediscovered classic livelavalive videos, lounging in bed, more Myspace-esque photos, a ton of butter popcorn, a treat from my grandma, meeting Dr. Drew ♥, movie nights with friends, donating blood (#10 on my list!), tracking intense storms, wearing bows & flowers in my hair, fires, and Christmas decorations.

Currently listening to: Mr. Blue Sky - ELO

♥

It's the Little Things...

I was rummaging through my room late last night in search of a sketchbook (i'm holding out until Christmas for a Moleskine!) that i could do a few little drawings in.  I found a sketchbook from the art class i took last year, with only one page used.  Armed with a thin Sharpie, inspiration from vintage Lily posts, and this rediscovered sketchbook, i began a wee project titled "It's the Little Things".  I felt the need to do something a bit more positive, something that i can flick through when i'm feeling down.

"It's the Little Things" is a mini series where i just illustrate the little things in life that make me happy or simply put a smile on my face, things that usually go unnoticed or taken for granted.  These are by no means professional drawings at all (they're actually a bit horrible haha), but i quite like them. Let me know if you're interested in seeing more of these :).  This is nbd, but i thought i'd share it with you all!

What are some of the little things in life that make you happy?

It would be awesome to get some ideas from you all, i'll try to illustrate them :)

Currently listening to: After the Storm - Mumford & Sons

♥

Thursday Summary: Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  This has to be one of my favorite times of the year, everyone comes together & eats a ton, and there is always a festive mood in the air.  This year i'm just celebrating with my immediate family, which i don't mind but i do miss the rest of my family!  How are you all celebrating?

♥ These are just some random photos i found of myself on my mom's laptop, so sorry if you're bored!  The last photo is actually me today, pardon the lack of makeup but i couldn't be bothered to fix my face up if it's just my parents, my sisters, & me.

♥ Another reason i love, love, love Thanksgiving is because it means Christmas is soon to be here!  My mom has actually put up the Christmas tree today (still to be decorated) and the rest of the Christmas decorations (garland, stockings, etc.)!  I'm currently sitting in the family room where there's a fire burning in the fireplace and football on TV - classic Thanksgiving :)

 ♥ Speaking of Christmas, i gave my mom my Christmas list (she asked for it at least five times a day haha) about a week & a half ago and i think she's already bought everything on it (well, except for Crash Bandicoot unfortunately :/) & i don't want to have to wait another month to get everything!  Yes, i'm selfish & impatient lol.  My parents are only spending a certain amount on each of my sisters & me, and my mom says she still has quite a bit more in her budget for me!  I'm thinking of asking for some specific MAC goodies & money for my trip.  What are you girls asking for for Christmas?

♥ Conflicted as what to do as far as posts on this blog.  I feel like i ask this in every post, but what would you all be interested in seeing from me?  I was thinking maybe my Christmas wishlist, but i'm a bit on the fence about it as it's not very interesting to be honest.  So help me and give me some ideas please ladies! ♥

♥ (Again, excuse the lack of makeup - i know i look repulsive haha D:).  Love the scarf that i'm wearing in this photo, it's from H&M (as seen in my kind of-recent haul) and it goes with so much and really just adds a bit of color & interest to an otherwise boring outfit.  I haven't been wearing eyeshadow at all this past week, mostly because i'm running very low on my eyeshadow primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion) & i don't have money to buy another bottle!  I've stuck to my regular face routine (but with more blush & contour) and wearing just winged liquid liner & two coats of mascara on my eyes.  Looking to buy some MAC paintpots or sumfin :)

xoxo

♥

Five Things

Inspired by (well, stolen from!) Emily's "Five Things" post :)

This week has been really hectic with school and my family and everything, but this post will be focusing on much happier things!  These are five things that have made me a bit more cheerful this week.  I wanted to include Mumford & Sons in this post but i literally just did a post featuring them!  Haha, they really have made this week more tolerable though.

So here we go ♥:

1. Slippers!  These may not be the most attractive 'things' you can put on your feet, but they are insanely comfy & warm - and for my abnormally cold feet, these are an essential for wearing around the house :).  (Although i admit to wearing them in public once or twice :P).

2. Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff.  I started re-reading this book a couple days ago, and i love it.  It's a memoir, and it's so raw and honest.  Once i start reading it, i just can't put it down.  Definitely a must-read!  You can read more about it here.

 3. DIY button earrings!  I did a post on these a long, long time ago, but i've recently rediscovered them and have been wearing them with everything.  They really add a lovely detail to any outfit and remind me of something Jennie would like - probably because of the anchors :).

 4. Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin.  I got a sample of this through a swap i did and kind of put of trying it out for a while.  I decided to give it a go a few days ago and i love it!  It's basically the same shade as their eyeshadow "Sin", but it's a base at the same time so you can skip a step!  Really love this, makes me want to try out some different bases (such as MAC paintpots or Benefit creaseless cream shadows!).

5. Re-organizing my room.  There's something about rearranging things and finding a home for bits floating around my room that i find really relaxing.  I'm secretly obsessed with all things storage & organization, i'm not sure why!  This is a little glimpse of what's inside my closet, i'm planning on doing a closet tour video when i get the chance!

What has been picking you up lately?

♥