Vanilla Salt World *O*

Jamie Sarmiento / Mimi / 21 / F / Filipino / Artists / Photographer <3 Goes by the moniker dollicandy. At the age of 16, she was given a third-hand Canon EOS 400D (Whom she calls as "Zoe") and that camera was the turning point. The root of her inspiration is small and simple -- She wanted to create images that are beautiful, that she like, that she could call her own. Photography is the platform of her developing skills and expresions. Her emotions basically serve as the main inspiration of her photographs. Photos, for her, contains endless possibilities of communication, perception, interpretation, and execution.

[minniemei]

Day 131 Paint sketch. I was never good with body proportions. Except for chibis, I think. So I only drew eyes whenever doodled on my school ntbks. #watercolor #gouache #painting #art #eyes#vscocam

[cheriecollections]

Floral Boho Chiffon Kimono Cardigan by Cherie Collections 21.47 USD | Free International Shipping

[cheriecollections]

Kimono Cardigans

MONTH-LONG PROMO: FREE SHIPPING from April 24-May 31! Visit and Order at our Etsy shop: Cherie Collections!

[minniemei]

Soooo~ I've recently teamed up with a store and we're selling Kimono Cardigans that are personally sewn by us, so you can't buy the same pattern in other stores~ Check out more here Cherie Collections

[yohuka]

[minniemei]

Red + Now

I have so many small things that I want to do in life that I mull over for an absurd length of time.

I worry too much that I don't even order food that I haven't tried before; go to restaurants that I haven't tried before. And it doesn't stop their -- Clothes, gadgets, style, etc -- I;m not fond of trying out new things for the fear of regret. Eventually, the same unending cycle made me feel stagnant and drained my inspiration.

But this year, I want to make it about taking leaps of faith and mustering up enough courage to do so. My boyfriend and I already had started eating at different restaurants everytime we're out on a date, and I already cut my hair short for a change!

And this time I did it. I finally did it!

Had my hair colored red. Not dark red. RED. Turned a blind eye on my hesitation and just went for it! (As if being pushed by the boyf to do it wasn't enough). Well...Ok. I didn't completely turned a blind eye on it. Still kept contemplating whether to color or not for the whole day! When my boyfriend was starting to color my hair, I kept on feeling my tummy churning and my sweat was cold. I know it was silly of me to worry about it that much but I was so afraid to murder my hair. Again.

But thank God the result is awesome! Red! Couldn;t believe my eyes! Kudos to my boyfriend for handling my hair gently ♥

Look inpired from Hyuna's look on Troublemaker's 'Now'

Photos by masterchichichan Thanks for ze awesome photos! ♥

[minniemei]

Anniversary dress + Flower crown

This is rather late, but posting it anyway~ So last year me and my boyfriend celebrated our 2nd Anniversary. He gave this floral dress as a surprise gift. I was actually ordering this from this shop. Little did I know that he was already conniving with the shop owner to delay my order and payment so that he could buy it himself. Lol It was such a sweet surprise <3 Excited for our 3rd Anniv this year! (Ehem. Sorry for being such a hopless romantic)

Made the flower crown~ Hoping to have the rest of my flower crowns available in an online shop soon!

[chiguma]

missing my bby so i sketched

[minniemei]

I miss my boyfriend's baby as well. 

[minniemei]

New Year + Polka Dots

New hair! Finally had the courage to cut my hair short whitout any regrets or any wrong reasons for doing it :) Plus, so glad my boyfriend loves my new hair <3

Hoping that these Polka Dot dress would bring me so much fortune for this year! Lol. Though I hope that I don't forget to hope for happiness as much because, honestly, I'm almost literally always fixated by thoughts of success and fortune recently.

Polka Dot dress, White stockings and Accesories is by Cherie Collections. They're soon to open online so stay tuned! They have pretty and affordable clothes <3 / Beloved Necklace is by Istorya / Shoes from Parisian

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Bittersweet 2013 is bittersweet. There have been heavenly blessings as much as there have been rugged roads along the way. Took me alot of courage (and maturity) to face decisions I once feared the most --

Growing up, learning to take up responsibilities, and being a little less selfish are some of the biggest things my heart learned to (and is still learning to) appreciate. You can't imagine how being a little selfless can bring so much happiness to others.

And acknowledging that with prayers and faith in God, anything is possible. The answer may not turn out the way you want it to be, but believe in God, it is a hundred times better than what you expect. Everything is in God's perfect time

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Hello, 2014! We're stuck with each other 'til the end of this year, so please be good to me and please give me good health! :)

As I've said in Facebook, "Let it go. Let go of what's dragging you down, stand up, and keep walking. But let's not think that New Year is the only time to resolve your past. Let's remember that God gave us every day as a new chance to become better. Blessed New Year, Everyone!"

[minniemei]

Roaring 20's

Sometimes I feel like I've been born in the wrong era. Not that I would speifically want to be born in the 20's. I just really adore how much effort women pour in their outfits to look pretty and presentable. Like those Victorian dresses. Oh what I would give to wear those dresses in this era without having anyone labeling me as weird. Or maybe even those traditional Filipiniana outfits! Because today, what's 'in' is what's 'comfortable' to wear.

Anyway, though I must admit that I'm a total geek for costume parties, I especially looked forward to dressing up as a 20's girl all because of Sophie Kinsella's book, Twenties Girl, where I totally adored the character - Sadie, who's a ghost girl from the 20's.

The ensembles to complete the 20's look wasn't that hard to find. However, I was lucky enough that we have a dress that is somehow similar to a 'flapper dress'. Got the accessories from Welmanson's (found in Quiapo). The quality is 'ok' considering its affordable/cheap price. It didn't matter to me much since I was only gonna be using them once or twice for the costume anyway. Grabbed the fishnet stockings around SM department store. My boyf bought me the Feather Boa at Greenhills. Then made the 20's headpiece myself :)

Of course none of the photos would be possible without my Boyf <3 Thank you for the photos, Masterchichan!

Happy New Year from us!

Hopefully, this year would be a good one for everyone! Less natural calamities maybe? I think my country have suffered more than it can take. Praying that people here in the Philippines who have been gravely devastated by the current happenings will keep living and get back up to their feet. I know that I can't truly relate to the pain they've felt and still feeling right now. But all I know is that everything happens for a reason. We can't live in the past and dwell on the things that aren't there anymore. Because if you don't let go of what's keeping you down, you won't be able to get back up again. It's painful to lose the people you love. I can't even imagine losing my family and my boyfriend. But be thankful that you are alive and belive that there is a reason why you're still here. 

[minniemei]

That cloaked photo set is very outstanding. I did something like that too kaso medyo maigsi lang yung tela kaya di kasing ganda nung photos mo. Feeling ko swabe na yung kuha ko until I saw yours.

Thank you very much! Though I have to admit, it was all thanks to darn luck. It was only on self timer and I didn't have a remote so I kept running from the camera to the front lol And I only use natural light which I couldn't control much. I'll soon be using a set same to that with a model next time too~ I think you and anyone could do that better than me XD

[minniemei]

Neomu Yeppeo (So beautiful) painting - PRINTABLE available here

*** Help me help them ~

Bless your heart if you purchase this because most of the fee will go to this little ministry I'm supporting, which supports underprivileged children go to school and attain education that'll help them achieve a better life :) 

***

More details here on Papers & Pastels' blog

[minniemei]

DIY Hanging Planter

Boyfriend brought home new little flowers for my working table last night <3  it's just perfect being my other indoor plant already died from constantly falling off my window ledge because of the kittens.

And coincidentally, just last week I spotted a DIY that was simply perfect for this new plant - A Hanging Planter. It's a space saver, it prevents my flower from falling off my window, and lastly, it makes plants look so much more adorable and more eye-candy! /my feels for cute things!/

So I made my DIY hanging planter with these things^ plus a pot. I just reused my old little pot, and covered it with a fabric tape! ~

Thank you to Artees Collection for the Jute Twine and Artsy Craftsy for the cotton-candy colored Baker's Twine! These stores will perfectly complete your DIY projects! <3

[minniemei]

Cloked [Late upload] Since I have dysmenorrhea today, and I couldn't do anything else but sit, I had the time to process some photos~

Hellos! Long time no self-portrait. Been contemplating to do this kind of self-portrait since forever! *O* But since I was younger, I thought it might be 'too' revealing and people might react the wrong way. But now that I've come of age -- lol. I just think that there is always the best time for everything. 

I also made the Flower crown. It's my first DIY flower crown! Eeep! <3 I feel it's addicting to make purty flower crowns :3 It's for my styling work for a engagement shoot, which was supposed to be yesterday but got re-sched over a bad weather on the location. Made the flower crown out of synthetic, of course! Wouldn't want it to wilt even before the shoot starts! I want to make more flower crowns. Even thinking of using them for casual wears. Or even selling them! Huzzah! /makes money out of every money/

Anyways~ enjoy(???) my photo set. I'm sorry my figure isn't that jaw-dropping ._. Nu ni nu~ I encourage you all to just focus your eyes on the flowers ;u;

Oh oh! And let me take this oppurtun to plug my photography like page ~ pls and thanks <3

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Is the tag TTh still alive? lolness

[ac-mcfucked-up-deactivated20140]

[minniemei]

artist-confessions:

Really low prices make me less likely to commission an artist. Me: I’m not an artist. I do commission artists - I spend around $300-600 a month on digital art commissions. I sometimes find an artist who has really impressive work, or a unique style, or something else that makes me think “I should commission this person.”. Then I look at their prices and they are crazily low. As in less than 20 dollars for a colour full body character. And I don’t commission them. Because I can’t pay prices that low and feel good about myself for doing it. I know it takes hours to draw even one character. Plus the time it takes to study the brief, look at the references, communicate with me, etc etc. No way are they making even minimum wage this way, let alone a living wage. I commission art because it’s fun. It’s my hobby. If I’m knowingly paying someone slave wages to support my hobby, it isn’t fun. To artists who undercharge: Please reconsider. I’ve heard many reasons why you decide to do this (see below). But if you price your work like you don’t respect it, you won’t get clients who will respect you or your work either. You charge peanuts, you get monkeys. To commissioners who push for these prices: Have some respect. Not just for the artists, but for the other commissioners out there. You’re giving us all a bad name. If you can’t afford decent prices, don’t be mean about it. Save up, or find some other hobby. Or hey, learn to draw.

Comments I get whenever I say the above:

"No-one will buy commissions from me at decent prices." - That’s a pity. But you realise by underpricing like this you are making your problem worse, by contributing to the “art should be dirt cheap” mindset that seems to exist in dA and other places? (okay mostly dA, that place is a cesspit) Besides, there are other things you can do than keep lowering prices. There’s tons of advice in dA: 'Official' Pricing Your Commissions or Artwork Thread Finding Freelance work: pricing and self doubt! And other places: How to get commissions: A guide Getting the Most Out of Commissions If none of the above helps you… maybe you need to reconsider if you are at the right stage in your development to be offering commissions. Sorry.

"I’m only doing this for fun, I don’t care about the money." - Good for you. But there are others that are trying to make a living doing this. Have some consideration for them, yes?

"It’s the clients pushing my prices down." - Gah. Then your clients are awful people who don’t respect you. It’s a trap though - you charge low prices, you get cheap clients. There’s only one way out of that trap.

(Commissioner says) “But I want this drawn and I can’t afford higher prices.” - I want to live in an exact replica of Wayne Manor, but I can’t afford that. So, um, I don’t. Simplify your idea, or don’t commission it until you can afford to do so without ripping off the artist.

(Commissioner says) “By paying less per artist I can support more artists.” - No. Just… no. You are not supporting artists, you are exploiting them. Paying less per artists lets you exploit more artists.

"Just tip the artist." - I have done that, but it sends the wrong message. Tipping isn’t the norm in this game, so when I tip artists assume it’s because they did an extra-awesome job, when in fact I’m tipping them because they did their normal-awesome job. Plus if an artist is charging one-third or one-quarter what they should be, do I tip them 300%?

(Image by me. Not an artist, remember? The price list is made up, but based on real lists I’ve seen recently.)

submitted by -badgermushroom

I need to have this in my blog. I want to highight the part "

To commissioners who push for these prices

" I honestly think if those people doesn't know how to respect and appreciate artists, they don't deserve good art. Bless this post

[minniemei]

Pretty in Pink Table

Shoot for today was re-sched by cause of the bad weather around the location of the shoot. Got back home very early and had lots of time to spare~ When I saw my ugleh working table, I saw a chance to finally fix it! Grabbed a few paints here and there~ and Huzzah~!

My chic looking table! So pink and everything. Just wondering though how long would it maintain its cleanliness lol

This is the pattern I painted on the table. Simple but it looks cute enough. I didn't want to paint it plain 'cause it'll be too boring, and I didn't want to paint on a pattern that too distracting. So this is just perfect~

Hello, Mr. Creepy Mad Rabbit. What've you been upto aside from ogling me with those creepy eyes?

Totoro and friends ^u^

Mini cloth clips are the cutest for hanging accessories or note~

My new favorite pillow :3

//Hides ugleh pens and pencils under synthetic flowers lol//

And ze flower crown I made that was supposed to be used for today~ brought it home for the meantime~ Want to use it for a personal shoot first ;u;

[minniemei]

Artesania Arts and Crafts Fair

Hellos! Long time no blogging! Anyone missed me? >3< . . . (Anyway!) Moving on!

Well, this is just little something from the Artesania Fair at Mercato Centrale we went to yesterday. There was so many pretty handmade stuffs, I wanted to hoard them all! Lol. Some are quite pricey, but I think the price is just enough for something that is made with love. Would've bought moar if only I've saved enough budget. *O*

Almost all stores who participated there were online stores usually found in Facebook or Instagram. So it was best that I bought all that fit in my budget 'cause at least I didn't have to pay for any shipping fee. Saves me Php 60 – Php 100 shipping fee per store.

Check out the poster to see more details about the event Here :) It'll be available until this December. See the dates.

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Okay. So let's start with these #adorbs hand painted finds. I always love hand painted items. No two lines would ever be alike <3

From Designer's crib interior graphics. I totes lurve the Totoro pouch and free Soot hair-band.

Visit their store here and see more designs. The person who sold me these are as adorbs as their store items! ;u; -- So yeah, apparently, they are interior designers.

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Following a Totoro pouch is this adorbs Totoro Bookmark. 

From Pop.Junk.Love. 

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  Necklace loves!

The Beloved necklace is from Istorya. Love this at first sight since it matched my boyfie and I's term of endearment. Beloved. It's just perfect. The person who sold me this was just so adorbs! <3 

The Mad Rabbit polymer locket necklace is from Erosejazz Clay Works. Love the detail and the creativity of how she turned an ordinary locket to this unique design! 

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Next is this pretty Pink pillow and these pretty Pink cups.

Both from Zazardrgz Hee. Me lurves to hug this pillow

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Shiny Pink Liquid Acrylic

from Create by TLF

Very pretty ink for calligraphy <3

They also sell many beautiful designs of MT tapes. I'm so crazy for Washi tapes, but Ironically, I didn't buy any. Lol

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Cutie necklace and a masking sticker set

from BitsAndPiecesPh

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Patterned wrapping paper set, cute pens, Jute yarn, and yarn. All from Artees Collection

Specially love the patterned wrapping set. Love the patterns and colors!

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Lastly, colorful Baker's twines, mini envelops, rubberstamp, and a fabric sticker

from Artsy Craftsy

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Here are some other stores from the fair. 

Copperazzo

Barrio Chic

Mini Pillow Crafts and Prints

My Fabric Projects

SpellBound

Aromateria

Orig. Kami - [email protected]