Nicocosity: March 2020

As I have mentioned in my previous post PLASTIC LOVE, I am interested in starting something with the following objectives:

♡Help out people struggling with anxiety and depression with art.
♡Inspire people to create artworks while on enhanced quarantine lockdown ~~and refrain from using TikTok.~~
♡Urge people to donate to different causes, e.g. funds for Personal Protective Equipments for our frontliners.

With all these in mind, I created a...

TADAAAH! I created a mini coloring book! Since I've had a couple of sketches that are waiting to be colored, I had this crazy idea to digitize them and make them available to be colored not only be me, but by others as well. This coloring book I created has 5 fashion illustrations which I made in both traditional and digital media. The size is A4, in a PDF format, and it can easily be printed out, so you can use your Faber-Castell watercolor pencils, or your kid's crayons, YOU DO YOU 🥰 But if you're more into digital art and want to bust out your intuos, or even your iPad Pro, you can still do so 👌

With a trusty phone camera, and Galaxy Tab A with an Autodesk Sketchbook app I began tracing the lines off of my original sketch to make it cleaner, and somewhat easier to color. I remember while doing this rather relaxing activity, I would indulge myself to 80's Japanese pop songs on loop, pretty much the same with the process I had when I created the Plastic Love artwork.

Sooooo going back to my objectives, I remember before there had been a boom to the popularity of adult coloring books, and I remember how soothing and calming it was to color and let your mind wander. By the time you finished coloring you end up creating an artwork, and that itself is an accomplishment ♡ That indeed is a healthy activity for someone suffering from distress, anxiety, and other mental problems. Art helps you heal ❤

I really hope in my own little way, using my own art, I get to inspire people to create amazing artworks, and not letting their insecurities of not having enough 'skillz' or not being good enough to discourage them from picking up a paper and pencil, or any other art tools and start creating. Everyone started as a beginner, so cheer up if your creation don't initially look as impressive as what you envision. Eventually you'll be great in creating art by doing it habitually, and if you're doing it because you really want to improve yourself 👍 No one woke up one day and realized that they are a master of something, y'know 🤷

It took me 25 years to draw this way hahaha!

And for my last objective, I am really REEEEALLLY geared on contributing to our society, by donating. With our current situation, it may be a bit disheartening to see our government's lack of urgency and order, but on the other hand it is inspiring to see common folks helping each other out to rise above from this situation that we are into right now.

And before you could ask, NOPE I'm not selling this coloring book, but instead I'm releasing it for FREE! YEHEY! I want people to enjoy coloring as much as I do, and I want to smack a smile on your faces with my kawaii Desu Ne artworks hahaha! BUT, I also would like to ask for a teensy favor from you.

I want you to...

Yep! Currently there are a lot of organizations who are active in reaching to people who are gravely affected by the COVID-19, from our front liners to our countrymen who need assistance with basic necessities such as food and shelter. These organizations do a lot of things, from sourcing out and producing the PPEs our doctors and nurses wear whenever tending for COVID-10 positive patients, to giving relief for families who weren't provided assistance by their local government. With your donation, no matter how big or small it maybe, it will be a big help for these amazing people to carry on with their activities and missions.

You're probably wondering, who should I donate to? There are a lot of amazing people and organizations who initiated such activities, and here are some I know that you might want to help:

This one is an initiative of a my friend Erchelle Tonoike, and her batchmates from Manila Science high school (where my best friend Zai went to). What they do is they procure PPE's for medical frontliners, and as of this writing they are branching out their support to other hospitals as well.

This one on the other hand is an initiative of a colleague of mine, Jomarie Cabahug, and his org San Mateo Rover Scout Mission Circle -10, where they provide packed meals and snacks to frontliners, from those working in the medical field to volunteers who help in keeping our public places in order. They also help out in giving relief goods to families who badly need provision.

Or you could also give to CloudEats Food Drive, who also aim to provide hot meals for our frontliners. You may reach them here: CloudEats.ph

And there are soooo much more channels you could choose from 💓 Also, just to be clear donating is not limited to giving monetary or material aid, you can be of help by sharing your skills, talents, and time. Like me, I choose the route of giving some amount to orgs, as well as used my talents (in this case, drawing) in creating awareness for different causes. I hope you'll also be inspired to help others 🙂

I believe, no matter how small, what your heart can willingly give can definitely make an impact to other people's lives ♡ May you be a blessing to others!

Ohhhh and before I forget, here's the link to the downloadable coloring book: CLICK MEEEE! Enjoy mi loves!

Love Always,

Nicole

P.S.

I'm planning on doing another volume soon, let me know if you guys have any suggestions on what I should do next 😍 Besitos!

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Currently majority of The Philippines is in enhanced quarantine lockdown due to the current COVID-19 situation, this means people are not allowed to go out unless they have to do something a matter of life and death, or for a quick grocery run.

With one person per household allowed to go outside.

With the abundance of time thanks to the absence of traffic congestion, since most people are currently on work-from-home mode, what better way to spend this wealth of time than ~~start revolting against the government~~ do art?

WATACOLA

It's been a LOOOOONG time since I drew, or did some fashion illustration! Despite always being surrounded with a lot of inspiration, mainly from Pinterest and Instagram, I find it hard to commit ~~wow may commitment issue bigla~~ into doing an artwork.

Usually what happens is whenever I see some really cool drawing, or any outfit that tickles mi fancy, I always develop that urge, where I find myself thinking, "hey, I can create a look with that kind of outfit, but with a different bag or accessories." Then after finalizing that 'vision' I will now proceed in sketching, then erasing some unnecessary lines,and finally playing with watercolor. However for the past months, it seems like I have gotten into an artist's version of writer's block, where I would try and draw something, but feel lazy to continue coloring it with the same gusto I had when I was sketching it.

TADAAAH! Why Plastic Love, you ask? I've been listening to Mariya Takeuchi's Plastic Love while creating this artwork, and OOOOHMYGOOOOSH YOU SHOULD GO AND LISTEN TO IT NOOOW! Here's the link : CLICK ME <3, you may thank me later after you abuse the replay button!

It also dawn on me that this look I created on my artwork is very Japanese street style, something that I have observed while I was in Tokyo last month.

And to further amp up the Japanese 'feelz' I used my metallic pastel Kissho palette for adding some shine particularly to her bag, and bangle. This palette has been with me for almost 2 years already, something I bought off Yamamoto Bumpodo in Tenjin, Fukuoka August of 2018, and so far I still don't see my brush hitting the pan 👍 I should probably do a quick review on this one of these days ♡

My newest baby! I got this set of 12's Kuretake Gansai Tambi from my recent trip to Japan. Originally this was part of my Pasabuys however the person who originally ordered for this had a change of heart -bummer- , but hey I have always wanted to dip my brushes on this palette! I heard a lot of great reviews for this, and this set (and the set of 48's huhu) was on sale in Sekaido in Shinjuku, so I suppose it was a blessing in disguise that finally I have gotten hold of this 🤩

And of course, who would forget my trusty The Classics Prima Watercolor Palette? Now, this one is not made in Japan, but it's equally at par with Japanese quality 👌 Just being reminded of the hassle I had to go through to acquire this set made me want to abuse this palette even more hahaha! I used this primarily for the skin and hair color of my artwork.

And now, some zoom in on the details:

I did an 'Oopsie' on the chin, I was supposed to highlight some parts of her lips with my White Sakura Gelly Roll, but halfway through coloring the lips I seemed to have run out of ink. So I foolishly drew on the chin. Good thing the whiteness of this came out translucent 🤷

Yah Gh0rl is wearing booties, pretty much the same as the pair of Esperanza booties that I desperately wanted to buy ~~but because I such huge feet, they have already sold off the last pair with my size.~~ Soooo, why not just imagine one of my girls wearing this dream booties of mine, no?

Materials Used:
🍒 Arches 250 GSM Watercolor Paper - Postcard Size
🍒 Faber Castell .5 Mechanical Pencil
🍒 Unipin Drawing pen in .5 and .1
🍒 Pentel Waterbrush fine point
🍒 Kissho Metallic Pastel Palette in 8's
🍒 Kuretake Gansai Tambi Palette in 12's
🍒 Prima Marketing Watercolor in The Classics palette in 12's
🍒 Sakura Gelly Roll in White

Moving on...

I must say I am very lucky that my only problem right now is that I can't go out because of this lockdown, while there are still people who risk their lives to work, most of them in the industries of food (e.g. people in groceries, and factories), BPO (e.g. call centers), and of course, medical. Aside from that, there are also those who don't have enough means to secure enough food supply during this really tough time.

With this, I'll be doing a project to further urge everyone to help out in their own ways, while also being able to enjoy my '~~arht~~' Hihi, watch out for that *winks*

Love Always - and BE SAFE AND HEALTHY!

Nicole 💓

P.S.

Want more music similar to Mariya Takeuchi's Plastic Love? Here yah goooo <3

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Last year I had amassed quite a number of beauty products, from skincare to make-up, both bought or gifted to me. But since I made it a point to be more conscious with how I consume stuff, from food to clothing, I decide to wait 'til the next year before I could start anew with some of my loot.

Lo and behold, NOW is that next year.

WITH FIKA MELTING CREAM BLUSHER

Usually, whenever my cousin had her monthly voyages all over the world she brings home something for me to enjoy, where it may come in a form of food, clothes, and beauty items. It was around July of last year when she gave me a some sort of loot bag showcasing a mishmash of different stuff, from Cambodia, and from South Korea. One of the amazing goodies I received is this ↓

Since this came along with the Peripera Sugar Glow Tint (which I also wrote a blog about HERE), I admit my excitement was focused more on the Peripera's candy-like packaged tint, than this less novelty-like, humbler packaged cream blusher, hence the reason it took me after 6 months to try it out ~~and I discarded a couple of expired make-up, leaving me with the need to open my stash.~~

Throw 'em

Upon checking, WITHFIKẶ, despite having the Swedish word Fikặ which means,"a coffee and cake break", is a full-blooded South Korean brand that can be bought in Korean Daiso shops. For those with the thought bubble, 'how come our Daiso in Japan [or insert other countries with Daisos in it] doesn't carry this brand?', the simple explanation to that is, South Korean Daiso is actually independent from the Daiso brand that originated in Japan, whereas in 2011 they announced their break-up from Daiso Japan which resulted in selling of different items compared to those sold in other Daisos overseas. Ok, to cut the long story short, WITHFIKẶ is available only in Korean Daiso.

Aside from this melting cream blusher, WITHFIKẶ also carries a couple of different kinds of make-up, like lippies, eyeshadows/creams, and BB creams at really affordable price points from $2-$8. As appealing as the price sounds, let's dig deeper on the actual product.

I. PACKAGING

The packaging is pretty cute, quite nifty actually. It reminds me so much of the aesthetic of the internet, with emojis and quirky colors! This blusher is a tube type, which is perfect for gals who travel a lot, since I find this kind of packaging less susceptible to spills, or those odd 'the-cap-got-undone-then-the-product-got-exposed-to-the-elements-inside-my-bag' situation- of which I am guilty of happening A LOT of times.

This tube is quite SMOL so like I said it's in a perfect size for peeps who love to lug around a simpler, and lighter make-up bag.

II. FORMULATION

For some reason the formulation of this melting cream blusher reminds me of those silicon-y face primer you use to make your foundation stick to your face. It's a bit tacky, and once you apply it to the skin it blends really well, even making your skin feel smoother.

As much as I want to dive deeper on the ingredients to add depth to this ~~nukz~~, unfortunately the packaging is in Korean, and yah girl doesn't understand Hangul. But one thing I find notable about this product is its fruity smell, that smells light but lingers to your nose. For those who have sensitive skin, I don't think this is a good product because fragrant products tend to cause bad skin reactions, so I think it's best not to grab this one from the shelves.

III. PIGMENTATION AND STAYING POWER

The color of the product stays true to the orange color as indicated on the that strip in the packaging that has the WithFika name.

As I have said, this feels more of a primer than an actual blusher. While yes, it serves its purpose of giving colors to those chubby cheeks, the product blends to well that it tends to disappear after applying it. The color is too sheer.

In relation to that, I am giving this a 👎, because even after putting a pea-sized drop on each cheek, it quickly vanishes! HAHAHAHUHUHU!

And poof! It's gone!

VERDICT:

Let's do a quick Pros and Cons:

PROS
- Really cute packaging
- Smells really good
- Inexpensive price

CONS:
- Too sheer barely there pigmentation
- No STAYING POWER WHATSOEVER!
- So hard to get your hands on this, since it's available only in South Korea!

FINAL THOUGHTS?
This make-up product feels more like a kid's make-up, because aside from the fact that like those 'Barbie' make-ups, there is no color pay-off nor those it deliver an 'airy' painted look on your skin.

Would I search for the other WITHFIKẶ products when I go to South Korea?
Maybe.
Would I re-purchase this blusher?
No.

Love Always,
Nicole ♡

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AND I AM BAAAAACK! My last trip to Tokyo was short and a bit bittersweet, that's why I was looking forward for this 2-week trip to my favorite country!

First agenda of the day: Breakfast. It's a great thing that our hostel, &And Hostel Minamisenju has a nearby Lawson, because of this we get to have our daily fix of Onigiri. To test the weather, I tried to go out of the hostel in my pajamas and my coat, so far I was able to survive the 7° Celsius weather that morning 👍

The stark contrast of Pink stuff and Black stuff just shows how different me and Ken are 🤣

Lo and behold, our room. As I have mentioned, we stayed at &And Hostel Minamisenju. Our room is tiny, LITERALLY TINY, like we can only open our suitcases to get our stuff one at a time. As for the bathroom, there are communal shower rooms and toilets in each floor.

Does this mean it's a hassle to stay at a hostel? I don't think so. I understand people have negative notions about staying in Hostels because:
1. They are tiny.
2. You don't seem to have privacy.
3. People have watched the movie, Hostel.

But believe me, staying in a tiny room at a hostel is much better than a swanky one in Ropponggi Hills.

Photo c/o Ken

A magnitude of ¥100 crane games you can try out in Sega Arcade's 6 floors worth of games.

Me, already calculating how many ¥'s I have to spend to get this Darth Vader toy.

The view you get to see from one of the many exits of JR line Akihabara station.

Not sure why, but a lot of people stopped to take photos of these anime characters.

I remember before when we were still casually dating, Ken mentioned that when he first went to Japan (for work) he was only able to roam around Tokyo for a day, and the only place he was able to go to was Akihabara. Even though that was the only place he'd really been to, he still felt 'bitin' or he didn't feel contented because of the short amount of time he spent discovering this magnificent place. This tiny piece of info was etched in my mind, that when I planned our itinerary I made sure to prioritize us going to Akihabara.

So what's in Akihabara, exactly? If you are into anime, toys, games, and gadgets, this is the place to be! There are a lot of shops that sells both brand new and second-hand toys and memorabilia, most of which are sorted out by fandoms. Just imagine Ken's reaction when arrived in this part of the city! HAHAHAHA!

That ending where he started touching his butt? Oh, that's an assurance that his wallet is still going strong!

Crayon Shin Chan!

For the toys, they have this system where you just write the code of the toy you wanted, then the sales associate will get the boxed item from their backroom.

Albums of J-Pop artists

More toys!

Near the Sega in front of JR Akihabara's exit, we stumbled upon this BIG shop full of toys, toys, and toys! There were a lot of stuff that are quite rare, and there are some items that are waaaaaaaaay more affordable compared to the ones sold in Greenhills!

There's this particular line of Figma dolls, I am not sure if they are called Little Armory, but they look very cool. I remember how Ken wanted to buy one of those girls in one of the shops in Greenhills, however they are quite expensive that's why Ken parked the idea of getting one. However it's a different story in this store in Akihabara ~~I forgot the name of the store, I am sorry~~ , because aside from the lower price, they have a lot of choices and even have a full line for the accessories, like clothes, furniture, and guns! Talk about Barbies for guys 👍

But Ken still didn't end up buying any 😒😕

Photo c/o Ken

Next place was our main agenda, Super Potato. When Ken told me he wanted to go to Super Potato, the first thing that came to my mind was...

But oh no, Super Potato is actually a glorious building worth 5 floors of Anime, retro consoles, and rare game merch, where at the top part you can play different retro arcade games for a ¥100 coin while you can try on munching some weird rare Japanese candies.

Aside from being able to play on some of the nostalgic arcade games available, you can get yourself some retro gaming consoles like Playstation 1, and my first love, the Gameboy Color!- Heck, they even have a WIIIIIIDE array of games you can choose to play. This is perfect for those who had a Gameboy when they were kids but missed out on some really cool titles. As much as I would like to buy myself one, as well as Pokemon Ruby game for it, I decided not to be played with my impulsiveness because while these consoles are pre-loved, they don't come cheap!

In the end, we end up buying some stickers instead HAHAHA!

Photo c/o Ken | Eto yung photo na tipong ipapakita mo sa anak mo pag matanda ka na.

Photo c/o Ken

And finally, the most unexpected part of this day: Cherry Blossoms! After spending time in Akihabara, we decided to head out to Ueno park, mainly because we wanted make the most of our 72-hour unlimited train passes (not applicable to JR lines tho), and because I haven't been to that park.

Since we visited Tokyo in the middle of February I didn't expect to see Sakura or Cherry Blossoms, in fact I was sort of expecting to see snow instead hahaha! But lo and behold, great unexpected things happen! So while we were strolling around the park, basking in the sun and making the most of the golden hour by taking artsy photos, we stumbled upon this small part of the park where a small group of people are gathering to take turns in taking photos. From afar I was quite hesitant whether it really is a Cherry Blossom tree, since I have read in a couple of online sites saying that what usually blooms during winter time are plum blossoms, which look like THIS. But after scrolling for more info, I confirmed that YES, these are indeed Cherry Blossoms! 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Though, even if they are Plum Blossoms I am still really thankful to have seen their beauty in real life 😉

Love Always,
Nicole 🌸

I shall see you in full bloom next year ♡

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