Favourite Books for the 1st Quarter

Phew, I almost forgot to write a post for this month.

Hey guys~ I purchased some fabric online and I cannot wait to get my hands on them. HEHE!

It's been forever since I've last sew. I miss sewing so much! I can't wait!!!

Yesterday, I went to Daiso with my younger sister and bought few items.

I felt like painting because I didn't want to waste my long weekend without doing any DIY.

So I ended up buying a pack of square wood.

I was actually worried that my acrylic paint would not work well with the wood.

Thankfully, my worry was for nothing.

Instead, painting over the wood made them pretty.

However, I screwed up so badly while writing the first quote over the paint. LOL.

Nevertheless, I am satisfied with the outcome.

As the title said, I have decided to make a list of my reads for the 1st Quarter.

If you're wondering if it was hard for me to name the list, nope is the answer but numbering the list was super difficult for me.

Anyways, I still managed to list down my top 5 favourite reads~

5. Falling Kingdoms series By Morgan Rhodes | Genre: YA Fantasy | 6 Books

If you are a sucker for YA Fantasy, I believe this series is something you may love. What I really like about this series is the writing style. I really really really love reading POV of main characters. It allows me to feel closer to the characters and at the same time makes me think and try to understand a character's decision, behavior or feeling. The plot is predictable and yet unpredictable which I favor a lot when it comes to a book. Every time the book ends, it leaves me wanting more. I've read 4 books in the series and I cannot wait to get my hands on the 5th one. Also, the last book is coming this year! I can't~

4. An Ember in the Ashes series By Sabaa Tahir  | Genre: YA Fantasy | 4 Books

When it comes to this series, I have to say it has many beautiful phrases. I love how distinctive each characters are. Also, I absolutely impressed with the way she portrays The Commandant. I swear she is like the most hated fictional character I've ever read, she is just so cruel. I've never thought there's a character who can win Dolores Umbridge! The magical element in this series is unique and I just want to know more. I've read the first 2 books and I cannot wait for the 3rd book to come which is in 2 years time! I believe it is worth waiting.

3. Illuminae files By Amie Kaufman & Jay Krisoff | Genre: YA Sci-Fi  | Trilogy

This series is by far the most unique writing style- It gives me galaxy and robotic feels while reading them. The plot is special on its own and I just love that fact alone. The humor in the plot is wonderfully written amidst of the chaos that is going on in the book. I know some people do not like Sci-Fi genre but I think Illuminae is such a great book that you should give it a try despite not liking the genre itself. This series is a trilogy and I've read 2 books. The last book will be out next year. Yay!

2. The Raven Boys series By Maggie Stiefvater | Genre: YA Fantasy | 4 Books (Completed)

This series is amazing and I love everything about this series! All of the main characters are contrasting, complex and yet so endearing. The plot may be a little difficult to apprehend in the beginning but you will find yourself so absorb, you cannot stop reading, then it is coming to an end and everything that happened in the beginning makes perfect sense! This series is so good that I think about it all the time. You will love this series if you are into a book surrounding smart, intelligent, badass boys.To be honest, I was afraid this series won't be to my liking but I was so glad to pick it up from the library and then I ended up being obsessed with it! Ahhh~ My feels~

1. Red Rising trilogy By Pierce Brown | Genre: A Sci-Fi | Trilogy (Completed)

I cried at every book in this trilogy. I don't really cry over books which explains why this trilogy is number 1 on this list. This trilogy makes my heart wrenches for Darrow, the main protagonist. I love how he isn't perfect at all and I can understand him even though he makes the wrong decisions. It is a dystopian setting with Sci-Fi. The plot is remarkable and extraordinary. I can visualise the world Darrow is in and how imperfect and wrong that world/ system is. People who love dystopian might consider reading this trilogy because the plot is unique and Pierce Brown is such an amazing writer who deserves more recognition for his masterpiece- Red Rising. 

Photos Credit: Google

TBR May: 

Shadowhunters Academy

 Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Lunar Chronicles- Winter

Update on my life

Hello every body!

I hope you have been doing great!

And I know, I was gone for a very long time.

Hence, I would like to give you an update on what I have been doing during my absence from blogger.

1. Reading
   I've been spending plenty of my time reading. I realised that last year I didn't read as much as I used to back in 2015. Reading is a very good habit and I shouldn't be lazy when it comes to reading! Therefore, I followed some booktubers which could recommend me some wonderful books. I am so glad to have stumble across few great booktubers over the span of 2months. Their recommendations have make my February reads enjoyable.
   
   
   Best picks:
   - Illuminae Trilogy ( The last book is coming out next year!!! )
   - Falling Kingdom Series ( The last book is coming this Dec. I haven't read the 5th book because some one else is borrowing it from the library. Never mind patience is virtue! )
   - The Raven Boys Series ( I've only read the first book and OMG I cannot forget how the story goes! I love it so much. I cannot wait to borrow the next three books from the library! )
   - Red Rising Trilogy ( This is one of the best adult sci-fi fantasy books I've read. I am currently reading the 2nd book and I am not disappointed! Also the 3rd book is in my possession. Woohoo! )
   
   
2.  Upcycled
   I haven't bought any fabric this year because saving money has always been a priority in my life and I wish to purchase fabric at a cheaper price. Both making it difficult for me to buy any kind of fabric I wish to own. D: Since I do not have any fabric, I played with my old clothing which I rarely wear and I've never worn before. I swear sewing has been my most favourite thing to do over the weekend, I truly enjoyed upcycling so much!
   
   
   
   
3. Overlock machine
   I was working on a project and my machine sounded weird. It's a super old machine which I refuse to believe it cannot be salvaged. I am planning to buy machine oil to see if it helps solve the problem which I hope it does. It upsets me every time I think of it. I have so many sewing projects I wish to carry out but why won't my machine work with me?!?!?!?!?! :( I guess I have to go back to using zizag stitching.
   
4.  Korean dramas
   I am currently watching 6 dramas. Some of them are just meh and three are fantastic (Defendant, Voice and Chief Kim). I am planning to switch to Japanese dramas when some of them end. Though I may not. I'm not sure.

Well, that's about it. Till then!

XOXO,

Mahirah

Recommended Movie:

Koe no Katachi (A silent voice)

DIY: Blouse with ruffles~

 I am finally doing a DIY post!!!

YIPPIE~

Nope, above pic isn't what I am going to post on. LOL.

I forgot to snap some pictures while making that shirt.

HAHA. My bad.

Materials Needed:

1. 1-1.5m of fabric
2. Sewing machine
3. Thread
4. A pair of scissors
5. Papers for pattern making
6. Zipper
7. Pins

Cutting the fabric:

1. 1x Front Bodice
2. 2x Back Bodice
3. 2x Sleeves
4. 2x 20"by 4" rectangular pieces
5. 2x 10" by 4" rectangular pieces

I basically traced out the pattern from a shirt. You can adjust the length of the blouse and the shoulder of the blouse according to your preferences. I like my blouse to have a longer sleeves. Hence I lengthen the sleeve.

Assembling the pieces:

1. Sew the shoulders together.
2. Attach the sleeves to the armhole.
3. Sew the side seams.
4. Attach zipper to the center back.
5. Sew the center back.
6. Create a neckline facing using the remaining fabric.
7. Sew the facing to the neck line.
8. Gathered the rectangular pieces to create ruffles.
9. Attach ruffles to the raw edges of the blouse and sleeves. 
10. Hem the ruffles.

 Pull the bobbin thread when it comes to gathering~

End product:

This basically took me less than 4 hours to finish. It is really simple. I could have completed it much earlier but sometimes, my sewing machine doesn't want to cooperate with me. :(


I am only left with one set of fabric. It is finally the time for me to purchase some fabrics for more DIYs. Meanwhile, I just finished an upcycle project. I think I am going to do some upcyling over the following weekends while I find some fabric online and wait for the fabric to arrive. Till then~

My personal list for Korean Actress

So overdue~

As promised, I finally am doing a list for my favourite korean actress.

These actress who make it to my list obviously captured my heart in the year of 2016 with their wonderful, amazing, almost perfect acting with very little flaws that I can bear with. It was so tough doing this list as compared to doing the male actors! As I was doing this, I realised some of the actresses who I truly love didn't make a comeback last year or I failed to watch their dramas due to various reasons.

Anyways, let's get the list going~

10. Kim Ji Won/ Kim Go Eun
9. Kim Yoo Jong

8. Hwang Jung Eum

7. Kim So Hyun

6. Son Hyun Jin

5. Park Min Young

4. Jang Nara 

3. Kim Ha Neul

2. Shin Min Ah

1. Soo Ae 

Honorable Korean Actress (Every time they appear on screen, I have nothing to say but fantastic acting.):

Kim Hye Soo
Gong Hyo Jin


If you're wondering why Song Hye Kyo isn't in the list, well I don't really watch descendant of the sun properly. When she's on my tv screen, I personally find her character unlikable and thus she, maybe more towards her character, doesn't touch my heart last year. Thus, she didn't make it to my list. Don't get me wrong! I like Song Hye Gyo and I know she can act but Descendant of the Sun really isn't my cup of tea!

Current favourite dramas (ongoing):

Voice

Defendant

Tomorrow with you

Chief Kim

My personal list for best Korean actors of 2016

As promised, I have another post up.

Though it wasn't the same day but it's so rare to have me upload another post the next day right? 

So, YAY!!!

Do you like tsum tsum? I am in love~

Anyone who knows me probably knows how much I love watching korean dramas.

I basically grew up watching korean dramas without knowing it was korean. LOL.

There wasn't korean craze going on in my country when the dramas were played on my national television program (Or maybe there was? IDK).

Every korean dramas were so good to me at that time. HAHAHA. Oh come on you can't expect much from a young girl right?

Now that I am grown up, not very grown but I am maturing. I know how to differentiate between good and bad acting. (I hope? HAHA.)

Anyways, this is obviously my own. VERY OWN PERSONAL LIST for best korean actors of 2016. (Don't hate me so much if your favourite isn't on my list.)

The actors who make it to my list obviously captured my heart in the year of 2016 with their wonderful, amazing, almost perfect acting with very little flaws that I can bear with.

Let's get the list going~

10. Park Bo Gum / Yoo Ah In

9. Song Joong Ki

8. Ryu Jun Yeol

7. Kang Ha Neul

6. Lee Dong Wook/ Lee Je Hoon

5. Park Hae Jin/ Lee Jun Ki

4. Kim Rae Won/ Lee Sang Yoon

3. Yoo Seung Ho/ Cho Jin Woong

2. Ji Chang Wook/ Jo Jong Suk

1. Gong Yoo/ Nam Goong Min

Honorable Korean Actors (Every time they appear on screen, I have nothing to say but fantastic acting.):

So Ji Sub

Park Shin Yang

Han Suk Kyu

Since I don't feel like sleeping yet, I shall make a list of Korean dramas!

Favourite Dramas of 2016 (A drama which touches my heart and I know I can talk about the drama forever and where ever):

1. Remember

2. Signal

3. Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim

Memorable Dramas of 2016 (A drama which will pop out in my mind when I am feeling it~):

1. Reply 1988

2. Jealousy Incarnate

Beautiful Dramas of 2016 (From writing to acting to editing to music, the drama is just beautiful):

1. On the Way to the Airport

2. Please come back Mister

Goosebumps Dramas of 2016 (The writers did an amazing job):

1. Six Flying Dragon

2. Flower in the prison

Oh the fluff Dramas of 2016 (This is when the main couple is full of cuteness, their acting do not have to be amazing though):

1. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

2. Shopping King Louie

3. Oh My Venus

EXTRAS~

Favourite movies of 2016:

1. Fantastic Beast and where to find them

2. Train to Busan

3. Kimi no Na Wa (Your Name)

4. Detective Conan Movie: The Darkest Nightmare

5. Angry Bird

I just found out How To Train Your Dragon won't be out till 2019!!!

What am I going to do for 2 more years?!

ARGHHHHH!!!!

NVM, it is worth the wait because toothless and hiccup are the cutest and has the most beautiful relationship in the entire world of DREAMWORKS!!!

Come on Dreamworks, don't disappoint and surprise us (fans of HTTYD) once again! See you dragon riders in 2019! Meanwhile I shall rewatch all episodes of HTTYD TV Series. HEHE.

Good night~ I am going to do a list of Korean Actress for my next post!

Till then!

XOXO, Mahirah

Currently watching Goblin.

I am so done.

If you're wondering why goblin isn't in the list, I am planning to put them for 2017. LOL.

DIY Hogwarts Cloak (Griffindor Version)

My Harry Potter feels are back. 

Maybe it's the season or my withdrawal syndrome from fantastic beasts movie.

I don't know but I am enjoying it. Oh, Happy 2017 my lovely readers~
Let's get started!

Materials: 

1. 2-3m of black coloured fabric
2. 2-3m of maroon coloured fabric
3. Sewing machine
4. Thread (black and maroon)
5. A pair of scissors
6. Ruler
7. Large pieces of paper

Creating the pattern:
I SWEAR I AM SO USELESS. I DO NOT HAVE MANY PICTURES. I AM SO SORRY!!!

1.  Copy from your favourite tshirt the front bodice and back bodice.
2. Widen lengthen and widen the sides to make it more flare out.
3. Back bodice will be on fold while the front bodice mark it X2.

 3. Create your own sleeve by copying it against the front and back bodice.

4. Roughly sketch a hoodie (use your coat or jacket as references)

Cutting the fabric:

Cut out all the patterns on both the maroon and black fabric.
You will end up with:

1.  2 pieces of Front Bodice- Maroon
2.  2 pieces of Front Bodice- Black
3. 1 piece of Back Bodice- Maroon
4. 1 piece of Back Bodice- Black
5. 2 pieces of Sleeve- Maroon
6. 2 pieces of Sleeve- Black
7. 2 pieces of Hoodie- Maroon
8. 2 pieces of Hoodie- Black

Assembling the pieces:

I started on the maroon pieces then the black pieces.

1. Sew the shoulders together.

2. Attach the sleeves to the armhole area.

3. Sew the side seam.

4. Attach the hoodie to the collar area. The final piece will be called Y.

5. Repeat step 1-4 using the black pieces.

6. Now we have to make the Y (maroon) be a lining to Y (black).

7. Sew the Y maroon to Y (black) with right sides facing each other along the hoodie area leaving the sleeves and hemline.

8. Turn the cloak inside out.

9. Hem the bottom and sleeves.

Final touch:

Print out Griffindor logo using transfer paper or sew the embroidery of the logo to the cloak.

End product:

Btw have you guys watched Fantastic Beast? I find it to be the best movie of 2016. Which movie is your most favourite for 2016? Also what movie are you most looking forward to? Anyways, I hope that this post will be useful for some harry potter fans out there.
OH, I may be posting another one if I am not feeling tired. HAHA.
Till then~  Stay happy and healthy!!!

Recommended Anime: Orange

I was prepared to get myself emotional and this anime has done it.

It is beautiful. Absolutely amazing!

I have yet to read the manga/ novel (I forgot if it was a novel or manga or both. HAHA). 

Maybe I will when the books are available again in Kinokuniya.

I am regretting so much for not buying the books when they were there! ARGH!!!

Black Cape~

Hey! AFA has ended and it was super tiring for me!

It was my DAD's birthday last friday!!!

Materials:

1. Black cloth (1m)

2. Black ribbon

Cutting the fabric:

1. Make a half skirt (radius- 6" and length- 18").

2. Cut out a hoodie shape (use any shirt with hoodie as your guidance).

3. Cut out 6 pieces of fabric (4" by 16").

Assembling the pieces:
1. Attach the hoodie to the skirt (right sides facing each other).

2. Gathered the 6 rectangular pieces.
3. Attached the gathered pieces to the hem of the skirt (right sides facing each other).

Final touches: 
1. Hem all the raw edges.

2. Attach two black ribbon to the seamline where the hoodie meets the skirt (one at each side).

 End product:

Photos from AFA~

Recommended Anime: Haikyuu