Tsubaki returns home

Earlier this year, I made a list of what I am allowing myself to spend my hobby money on.  So far, I've bought two more wigs than I had said I would, but the reason for that is because the first ones I bought didn't work out right for the dolls I bought them for.  It would be so much easier if there was an actual wig shop so that I could try before I buy.  I figure I could always sell the wigs that I'm not using to get back a little bit of what I spent.

Other things in my list were face-ups for three of my dolls.  I got the one from Buff back a little while ago, and this past week, my pullip head returned from ~Akai Arashi~ in Spain.  Spain already has Poison Girl & Sheryl Designs.  I think ~Akai Arashi~ is making quite a name for herself as well.  I'm very happy with how my pullip turned out.  Here's my newest addition, Tsubaki....


In November, I impulsively added another Taeyang to my collection.  I was captivated by Ruka from the Nightmare Set, and once I knew he would be a permanent fixture here, it was just a matter of time before my adherence to the even-number-of-pullips-and-taeyangs would come into play.  I stick to my own rules, after all.

I found this dent-box deal Alte in PullipStyle.  She had a busted eyelid, but it wasn't too bad of a fix.  I suppose I could have just bought one of those MIO blank pullip kits, but I really like the old, three-part heads with the rounder face shapes of the old girls.  

I think they are hitting it off quite well!
In other news, I was doing some grocery shopping and found hair dye with Blythe on the box. It was interesting to see Blythe hawking hair color. There were many different colors, but I didn't get any.

Who's watching the Academy Awards tomorrow evening?

Before I became a mom, I used to go to the movies at least a couple of times a week.  It used to be my personal goal to see all the contenders up for Academy Awards so I could have a legitimate opinion as to whether the winners deserved the award or not.  Unfortunately, after my children were born, my "free" time became less free, and less mine.  These days, free time is devoted to running errands, or keeping up with housekeeping, or watching my kids perform in their golf game, ballet recital or judo tournament.  I can proudly say that every lunch hour at work is all mine--that's when I eat lunch and play pokemon on my 3DS or catch up with my reading.  Sometimes if I'm really desperate, I'll take a power nap in my car. 

I am planning on watching the Academy Awards tomorrow evening--though I don't know if I can stay up for the entire thing.  I watch it every year, but once again, I've only seen a handful of the movies up for award contention.  I have a small contest going with two of my uncles and my husband--just to make it more fun.  My family really enjoys making small wagers.  We bet on the Superbowl, or who we think is going to win The Voice or American Idol.  Which team will win on Amazing Race or who will be voted Survivor.  It's not really anything big--most of the time, it's varying amounts of money (anywhere from $5 to $50), or a six-pack of beer, or a drink from Jamba Juice or Starbucks, or lunch.

For the record, here is my list of picks for the Academy Awards:
BEST PICTURE:  Nebraska (haven't seen this, but it sounds like an interesting story)

BEST ACTRESS:  Meryl Streep (doesn't she always win if she's nominated?)

BEST ACTOR:  Leonardo DiCaprio (why has this guy never won an Oscar?  IMO, he should have won for his performance in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?"  Hands down my favorite actor, and he's the same age as me.  OK, I'm about 6 months older.  Total Leo fangirl right here).

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:  Julia Roberts (Haven't seen her performance, but my sister said she was good in the movie).

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:  Jonah Hill  (I only recognize him from his comedic roles--I LOVED the movie "This is the End" and I'm hoping he wins for his performance in the Wolf of Wall Street).

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE:  The Wind Rises (Sad but true--I've seen mostly all the contenders in this category.)

BEST DIRECTING:  The Wolf of Wall Street--Martin Scorsese.  (Come on!  Scorsese is THE BEST director, right?!)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:  Star Trek.  (It was hard to choose, but I went with this one...even though I was also torn between Gravity and The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug).

We'll see how I do!  I'm probably gonna tank really bad, but that's alright.  The main thing is that I'm invested because I have a small wager going on, and the possibility of winning a free drink makes the Academy Awards show more fun to watch.