A Raconteur’s Story

November 2015 Haul

Hello guys!

It has surely been a while. I mostly feel bad about discussing this for so long now, I really wanted to post every single week; It doesn't seem impossible because I did it before... but so far, I just didn't really enjoy what I'm seeing on my on blog. I now declare that I, Ara, will only post something that is worthy of your reading—not just posts that didn't feel special for me in any way. It's more of the quality, not the quantity. I will explain more of what this is in the bottom part of the post. Anyway, here's the 2nd (and the last) post for November.

B L U E + G R E E N

1 | HIGH WAISTED SHORTS
- Never really had one of these before... and I don't even know how to wear it.
Similar one here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/247882513/vintage-levi-distressed-high-waisted?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=high%20waisted%20shorts&ref=sr_gallery_1

2 | GREEN NECKTIE
- I was once Draco Malfoy. Once.
Similar one here: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2282373/croft-barrow-ellison-bay-medallion-tie-men.jsp?color=Navy%20Green

3 | STITCH iPHONE 6 CASE
- The cutest thing. Ever.

4 | THE REST OF US JUST LIVE HERE BY PATRICK NESS
- Can't wait to read a book that isn't revolving around "The Chosen Ones".
Buy it here: http://www.nationalbookstore.com.ph/books/teens/teen-s-fiction/the-rest-of-us-just-live-here-a-novel.html

5 | JOGGER PANTS
- I want one for so longggg and thank the 7 gods that brought me one.
Similar one here: http://www.lazada.com.ph/bt-womens-ripped-sexy-fit-jogger-pants-02-1924374.html

O R A N G E + B L A C K & W H I T E

1 | DONUT PILLOW

- EVERYBODY NEEDS ONE.

2 | BLACK NECKLACE HALTER TOP

3 | ILLUMINAE BY AMIE KAUFMAN & JAY KRISTOFF

Buy it here: http://www.bookdepository.com/Illuminae/9780553499124

4 | WHITE NECKLACE HALTER TOP

5 | L'OREAL SUPER LINER ULTRA SHARP

Buy it here: http://www.loreal-paris.com.sg/cosmetics/eyes/eyeliner/super-liner-ultra-sharp

6 | HAIRTIES

+ + +

I will try my best to post every single week, but I hope that you'll understand that if I didn't like the content, I will not be able to post one for the day. Thank you so much for reading and I'll see you on the next post! :)

My Top 5 Fall Lipsticks

Hello guys!

I'm back with a Top 5. I noticed that most audiences love these types of post and I came up with 5 lipsticks from my stash that just incorporates with the fall theme.

Thank penguins that my stash has a good range of berry-toned shades. I included a brown lip, an orange one, and three plum-colored lippies.

+ + +

MAC Spirit

Spirit is more of a brown-y toned lipstick with a hint of mauve. It may look toasted in the tube, but I swear to you, like any other lipsticks, the color may depend on your natural lip color. As for me, this color came out as a muted light brown shade that could mostly be partnered with many dark nude lip liners. (Which I'm all for!) It's also kind of pale, and not too va-va-voom; so you could definitely use it everyday.

GUERLAIN Champs Elysées

As for raspberry colors, my personal favorite would be this one. I feel like this color could be worn by many people whether if they use it on a day or at night, It could complement them really well. This lippie has a mix of plum, raspberry, pink and red. Unfortunately, this thing is a high-end lipstick, so I found a lot of dupes for the color on Milani's website. So check that out. :)

AVON Enduring Sable

I can't find this thing online, but I'm 100% sure that you could still buy this exact cool from an Avon representative. This one right here smells of gummy bears and other gummy-candies. I love this thing because it's enriched with vitamins that wouldn't dry your lips out. It is indeed glossy, has a lightly sheer color that you can definitely build up by adding more product on your lips. It is more on the orange shades of lipstick and it is also cheap—that's why anyone could try it.

MAC Rebel

Oh my. This is one of the most-talked-about lip colors from Mac and everybody has been searching dupes for this. (There are a lot!) But that wouldn't stop me from adding this here. Mac Rebel has been loved my many people even before. It truly complements every skin colors and can be a representation of a perfect autumn lip. It might scare you because it is too showy, (I admit that i was intimidated at first) but guyssssss!!!! This is a must-have. It's perfect for night outs and just going through the forest searching for branches to get the fire going. It can be worn on a day out, but I personally think that the color is just too showy for mornings.

WET N WILD Lady and The Vamp

This is a sheer, light-weight product that also can be worn by anyone. It stains your lips but transfers easily as well... so you might re-apply this a lot if you like the real color to stay put. It's a very dark, violet shade that is infused with glitters. Completely moisturizing and completely worth the money.

+ + +

I hope that you enjoyed this Top 5 post! I'm so excited to do more of these soon. I'm starting to get back on my blogging pace (I also hope that It will continue) and I'm excited to write and shoot things for you guys. Here's a little thing, though. We have our tests coming up that might result to a late post. But I will definitely try to get one in there for once haha!

Thank you for reading and I'll see you on the next post. Ciao!

PUMPKIN CARVING

Since my dad and I were bored yesterday, we decided to keep our Halloween spirits up by craving out pumpkins. It was my first time since pumpkin-carving isn't a thing in our country. We don't even have pumpkins (a.k.a. cultivar squashes) for sale here... so, finding a squash to fit the job seems impossible; but we managed to find some that would just be enough for this whole thing.

I started by getting the things I need. 'Course you'll need a squash / pumpkin, a marker or a pen, a series of knives, tea light candle, newspapers, a lighter or a match, spoon (optional) and gloves (optional)

I drew on the design that I wanted using a pen of some sort. I sticked to the normal three-triangled jack-o-lantern because I was afraid of screwing up.

Next is I took out the top of the pumpkin. GUYS. YOU SHOULDN'T DO IT THIS WAY. Your pumpkin will not be able to be covered properly. Instead, go ahead and use the knife to cut it horizontally with a bit of the top off to make it look as if you have a soup bowl that could be easily covered with a cover. < I learnt everything the hard way. Butttttt, if you have made the same mistake as me, get the core and add toothpicks on it so it could stand on top of the pumpkin. Easy-peasy.

(BE CAREFUL WITH THE KNIFE!)

Once the core is off, go ahead and hallow your pumpkin by using a spoon (or with the help of a knife if the seeds are too caught up) and take it out and set them aside. (If you have followed my 'learned-that-the-hard-way' explanation, if will be a bit easier for you to clear the pumpkin because you have a bigger opening to work with.)

Let the carving commence! :)
Guys, be careful with the knife. I suggest using a smaller knife for this job and just be careful before you cut your finger off. lol

Once you're done with the carving, get your tea light candle and drop it in the center of your hallowed pumpkin. Light up the wick of the candle and you're done!

Happy Halloween everyone! :)

Venice, Italy. | Photo Diary

Hello, guys! Welcome back to my blog. Today I'm showing you something that I have been working on for quite a while now. I searched, compiled and edited all these photos for you because I feel like people can't really go and visit Venice (just like myself) and I guess that you guys would love to see how it looks like from photos. All of these photos were taken a few years back when my cousin went on a trip to Italy. She used an old camera of mine and I was happy to retrieve the photos to show them to you.

I welcome you to...... *drum roll*........... Italy! :)

The Reading List Vol. 3

The 2nd reading list is finally updated! :)

+ + +

1. Hamlet (W. Shakespeare)

This is one of the famous tragedies that William Shakespeare has ever written. This tells a story about a young man (named Hamlet) who was visited by his father to seek revenge for his death. Follow his life as he goes through a lot of things that destroys him little by little.

2. A Midsummer Night's Dream (W. Shakespeare)

You're probably wondering why I have two Shakespeare books on this one. I just needed to read a little bit of Shakespeare to get some of the reference in the novel, "Station Eleven" (Which is also included in this reading list)

This is a story that takes place in the middle of summer—surprise, surprise! HAHAHA. This is a comedy that is loved by many people. This includes magic, lovers, happy endings and confusion.

3. Station Eleven (E. St. John Mandel)

A book that I spent a lot of time finding. I can't find this anywhereeeee. I had to order it from a local bookstore and I surprisingly got it a few days after. (That's good customer service for ya)

A post-apocalyptic novel that revolves around a number of people with stories intertwined with one another. It all started when a death of a famous actor; named Arthur Leander, has shaken the news whilst a big epidemic is happening. Fifteen years later, a character is traveling with the Traveling Symphony which goes from town to town to perform Shakespeare and play music.

4. Fangirl (R. Rowell)

This book has been with me for two years now. Have read half of it before but stopped because of something that I wouldn't go too excited about.

Cath has a twin sister. Its her first time moving out without her. She has this roommate who'd rather go out all the time than spend it inside their small, boring dorm room. Roommate has this boyfriend named Levi who Cath wasn't too sure about. She spends most of her time eating protein bars and making fan fiction on this site called Fanfixx.net. She's left alone in college to face challenges such as.... parties, college, boys, college and the pressure of not updating her own fan fiction about Simon & Baz.

5. Cinder [Book #1 of The Lunar Chronicles] (M. Meyer)

A Cinderella re-telling set in this futuristic world of New Beijing. Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She has this mysterious past that has been reviled by her stepmother and blamed her for her stepsister's illness. But her life becomes intertwined with this prince named Kai, she suddenly find herself in a intergalactic struggle.