Tuesday, July 27

End of Summer Girl's Style Magazine Inspiration

Girl's Style Magazine has a lot of street wear, I've noticed. This was my first time viewing it (you know how magazines are all wrapped up in plastic in the store? getting the scans is a good way to preview them) but I still prefer holding a magazine in my hand and reading it wherever I like.

I think from now on Inspiration posts where I only have pictures will be accompanied by a small text that simply highlights what I like about what's pictured.

Here I like the yellow dress and floral cardigan!

Gray vest on the left! Also brown bag lower down is really cute!

I like both outfits but I think the one on the left is more something I'd like to wear!

The bottom outfit is cool! And I did want shoes like that but I have a feeling those types (with the long laces) don't suit me...

While both outfits are not bad, don't you think the one on the right is so cool?

The first thing I noticed was MARIMEKKO! And then I realized that the blue and yellow floral pattern is cute too (usually I only see the red and black one), and finally I saw those cute denim jeans at the bottom! The ones that resemble the Gap ones I once coveted!

Floral oxfords!

Note all the cute loafers and moccasins! And I LOVE girls + tie! Used to wear one often in high school (back when Avril Lavigne was popular).

2nd (boyfriend jacket), 3rd (oxfords!) and 4th outfit = Kawaii!!!

They're pretty cute! The first one looks like work-appropriate and the second if you really want to look like a little girl for your bf!

Secretary shirts, ruffles and that blue & white top at the bottom! Oo lalaa~~

Panda! + bluish white jacket and everything else from "alcali"!

Somehow when she wears that really big tunic dress it looks stylish. But if I were to wear it I'd look pregnant/like I just ran out of the hospital examination room.

I like how the outfit on the right is very office appropriate but still loose and summery. Having been to over a dozen interviews (at different companies too!) I can say that it's rare to find women wearing comfortable clothing in an office...

Those bags look like a perfect fit for my netbook! How cool to carry one of those around!

The miu miu print, and the cute hooded jacket on the bottom right!

I'm thinking I want to try this outfit one day. Oversized tunic + cropped jacket & all black below! I even have a Pooh to match!

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I really like the blue dress on the left! And those shoes! They look like faux leather...

So what do you think? Are you interested in more inspirational magazine scans?

P.S. All credits to Vimee.net

Monday, July 26

Gotta B Urban kabuki brush review

So I think I mentioned a while somewhere that I purchased a Gotta B Urban blush brush, and yesterday I mentioned that instead of using that  brush I used my new kabuki brush! So here it is:

It's really round, soft (not as soft as my Body shop brushes but good enough), and is very even! I really like the finish and I think I'll be using it until I get sick of dark skin! XD The price was good too; about ten bucks!

If you haven't tried Gotta B' Urban yet you really should look for the brand at any Marshalls or TJMaxx store because at least over here several locations have many different brushes like blush, powder, eyeshadow, concealer, double ended brushes, and even eco-bamboo brushes!

Oh and if you wonder what that leopard thingy is, it's a heatable or coolable eye pad!

Friday, July 23

Best Dressed at BET 2009 Awards!

Spending all day either sleeping and running errands, or in and out of interviews, as not really been inspiring for me.  I enjoy the rest (love sleeping in!) but I'd feel even more rested if I didn't have to apply and attend job interviews (haha!). Especially since yobo is leaving for a business trip next week there are a lot of things to prepare (for myself and him), and we've been running around trying to get them done.  Afterwards, depending on how my job hunt's going, I can either sleep at home for a month or actually find myself a job (either works for me, would probably spend less money sleeping at home). So, to entertain you readers (and be even a little consistent) I will try to reduce my posting stress to every other day and this is my post for the past two days (...oops):

Despite not having seen BET awards (I don't watch TV), I decided to take a look at what everyone wore there and chose my favorites:
 While I don't think Brandy's dress is appropriate for an award show, I like it for everyday wear! It has a cute tulip shape and it looks like it's stitched from different materials! Her booties are also similar to what I own (and have not managed to wear them T-T).
I couldn't find a better picture of Christine Tegen in her black dress, but don't you think black heels would've matched better?
Keri Hilson - I think this dress is a little over the top but it fits her really well and the pattern is nice and yellow (I like yellow).
...I don't really approve of the jumpsuit looking thing Jada Pinkett Smith is wearing but I love the blazer/jacket enough to let it go. The shoes are a little skimpy looking though.
Ciara seems to be revealing a lot without really revealing much. It's the silhouette (and lack of bra?) that makes her dress sexy. If only she had picked sexier heels.

I saw a lot of daring looks (blonde curly hair, etc.) but for this post I tried to focus on their dresses/outfits. What did you think of BET 2010 red carpet looks?

Thursday, July 15

Are women more attractive than men?

Women today are expected to be beautiful.  Women should be beautiful. Women ought to strive for beauty.  Isn't that why you start preparing yourself an hour before leaving the house? Why you spend so much money on beauty products, fashion, and "pretty things"?
But how many men notice the effort? How many men flock over to you and compliment your eyeshadow choice, your manicure, or the way you coordinated your entire outfit, makeup, hair and jewelry (which really took a lot of deep thought on your part)? Instead, how many men puff up their chests and do silly things with the message I'm attracted all knotted up with other messages...? Have you ever seen a man swoon?
But women. Notice how women flock to men? How when a handsome or well dressed man is the attention of a large percentage of women? Most men don't need any embellishment, they just take off their shirt and suddenly they're the star.  They could be sweaty from a workout, construction workers in their dirty uniform, or literally smelly like a bum--and still women will notice! And while women are by nature supposed to hold more fat than men, men are able to build muscle more easily (hence the widespread six pack). How is that fair?
Well. It would be more fair if humans would admit to nature's sexual dimorphism trend, which basically refers to the differences between male and females in a given species.  Specifically, I am interested in why it is that while every child knows that Simba in Lion King is prettier than Nala because he has all that fur around him, most children grow up believing that they have to dress up like princesses in order to find their prince.

And even if you weren't concerned about finding your prince, everyone still wants a girl to be cute, pretty, beautiful, like a princess. Why are girls conditioned into believing they must be attractive when in nature it is the opposite?
The peacock is a prime example, as the male flaunts itself constantly while following the (very plain looking) female around. The bigger, prettier, more colorful, the better. Ducks are similar:
The general theory behind the flashiness of males and the plainness of females is that females, when pregnant and tending to young ones, need to blend in so as to not attract the attention of predators. In that sense, males are like a distraction to avert danger.  And some women claim that this instinct is why they "let go" once they get married and have children (but that's another topic).
My opinion is that women have been objectified into delicate flowers (many women are named after flowers in different languages i.e. "Rose") than men try to pick like bees in spring time.  Men emphasize ambition, wealth, and ability when wooing, but have forgotten that it is their outward beauty that attracts women first. Even in nature, females are shallow. XD;;

Wednesday, July 14

But I want it! SHINY blazer!

I saw this over at I am Style-ish and clicked on it thinking "Oh, Oasis isn't that expensive..."

Isn't that so cool? and it's discounted too

HOWEVER--They ran out of sizes!
...Now I'm going to have to find a similar one. Do you know of any?

Tuesday, July 13

Coffee House (Korean Drama) Inspiration

Over the weekend my friend encouraged me to watch Coffee House TV drama, and I started watching it yesterday after my job interview (I was bored and I haven't watched a drama in a long time).
See that girl on the left with the oversized boyfriend blazer and rolled up khaki shorts? She's my new inspiration! Since this is an on-going (new) drama the fashion she wears is very "in"!
See her shoes? I have a similar pair! I just haven't been able to figure out what to wear it with! Now I know~~~
I did my hair like this today :) I noticed that she just pins her hair up in the middle, then she "buns" the rest with a hair clip in the office. When she leaves, she just lets her hair down and it's pretty and wavy like in this picture!

Unfortunately she's not the "main girl" of the drama, so there's less of her than the other girl (whom I don't like). I don't think she's amazingly pretty (yet she was Miss Korea in 2000), but she is different looking and her style in the show is wonderfully business casual (she's the president of her publishing company), which I love! I've seen her before in "Fox Family" (also Korean drama).

Monday, July 12

But I want it! More organic skincare!

It's time for me to buy a new face cream to transition into again, and I decided I'm going to stick with almost-organic/organic products.  I had a serum in reserve, but it made me break out so I bought the same serum I recently reviewed for about $15 online, and I bought Lavera's Calendula Balancing cream for Normal/Combo skin for about the same:

Seeing it on the website, it's apparently for daytime use, so I now have to hunt for a night time moisturizer as well...

Instead of doing that, however, two things caught my eye:
1. Tinted moisturizer for $21
...I'll probably want this soon. When I no longer have so many foundations...

2. Did you know that US skincare companies are not required to list all ingredients? But in Europe they are. So want to know what you cosmetics have? Look it up from a European site!

Lavera's the brand of mascara and eyeliner I use at the moment, by the way. It's a well established brand even though I haven't seen much of it sold in stores (Wholefoods, maybe?). If any of you have tried their hair products I am very interested.

And I would be interested in their sunscreen too, except I just recently purchased an "organic" mineral one (SPF20) by Nature's Gate (which I understood is a local company). And even though it retails for $9.99 with only 2.5 stars, I got it for 99 cents so for now I am satisfied. It goes on dry like Neutrogena, doesn't have a strong scent, and didn't make me tan much.
How do you feel about supporting local brands?

Review: Zoya Nail Polish

I was pretty excited to try out my new polishes! I have brittle nails (probably lacking calcium) so it's very important for me to wear nail polish and protect my nails. Unfortunately this time I was in a hurry and didn't apply base (-.-) so on my index and ring finger I only have a single layer of Zoya's "Lyric", on the remaining three fingers I have double layers. I did this to show you how much color a single layer has already, and because I wanted to try on having some variety on my fingers without being daring (my interview style can be a little bland, but I like to think of myself as a blank slate).
Zoya's "Penny" I specifically purchased to use on my toe nails and I think it's a great color for summer, in the sense that it matches with my tanned feet (from wearing sandals to walk the dog). I'm a big fan of bronze too but I think this color, which is much more golden than an actual penny, is more summery.

The application of Zoya nail polish was smooth. It is quite watery, but as you can see there is still a lot of color on a single layer (versus some other brands that I won't mention now).  It didn't dry fast enough for it to look weird and not slow enough for me to mess up any nails (I have little patience...) so I definitely think I would buy Zoya again if I felt the need for more nail polish!

Have any of you tried the brand?

Friday, July 9

My Top Ten Tips for Traveling by Air

I thought I would participate and provide you my top 10 travel tips, because although I do not travel often anymore (except roadtrips, yobo seems to love road trips), I have already traveled a lot by plane in my life time so I think of myself as a pro now. My tips will mostly be for you lucky airplane fliers out there, and are mostly based on flying through Europe or to Asia, so ignore me if you're flying domestic XD!
1. Dress well, but comfortably.  I don't believe in wearing Juicy couture sweat pants in the airport at all. And honestly adding sunglasses and a cap to look like a celebrity-in-hiding is a little tacky to me.  I think Duty Free salespeople would agree, I imagine they see a ton of people dressed the same way.  I also don't opt for my mom's full professional outfit + make up, but something in between where I look put together and my hair is pulled back and my make up is light but noticeable.  I usually go for comfortable jeans and layered clothing (cold in the airplane) and a scarf (regardless of season).
(Image from StyleBakery)
2. Do wear make up. A little make up goes a long way while traveling. You look so much better, you look like you care about how you are perceived, and you will feel more confident when you get that extra cup of coffee in the airport.  I have actually tested the theory that if you don't wear make up in the airport you get poorer service (my mom's theory), and have concluded that it must be true.  A little foundation and eyeshadow (I go for neutrals) make you look less tired, and more respectable. You'll get better service and a few extra head turns.
(Image from Zimbio)
3. Bring a big purse. You know there's no limitation on how big your purse is? I've seen guys carry ridiculously large bags that go under "purse". Unfortunately this last time I flew the US decided to lessen our hand luggage from two pieces to just one piece, which means that we have to fit more in that one piece OR bring a really large purse in addition (if you don't carry a purse I understood that you could carry a laptop bag, a guitar, a baby bag, etc.).  What I do is that I bring a purse that can fit my netbook (which is in a separate bag), that way if I don't have any hand luggage I can just carry my purse. Also if you pass by airports where you have to remove your shoes and practically undress (belt, jacket, scarf, jewelry...) you'll be thankful how quickly you can get through by throwing everything in your arms into your bag and just holding your boarding pass. Trust me, I have a lot of experience being late to flights.
(Image from Bagbliss)
4. Pack mini cosmetics in your purse. I've seen people pack stuff in their carry on (like a trolley or a large duffel bag) and it doesn't make sense to have to take out the zip log bag from it every time you go through customs (maybe I transfer too many times for each flight and that's why I find it annoying? I guess if you only went through one check point it would be okay...). It's also irritating to have people climb all over you and drop things on your heard while you're trying to focus on a good movie, or pretend you're not flying, because they need things from their carry on luggage which are now over your head.  Anything you might need on a flight should be in your gigantic purse! That's why you're bringing it. Personally I carry a lot of moisturizing stuff like thick hand creams, thick face creams, ponds (to remove make up and hydrate at the same time), toothbrush, etc.  I don't usually wash my face on the plane because...well...it's dry.  I usually do it if I'm in transit somewhere for more than a few hours, but by then my skin is so dry that I actually prefer dirty/oily skin to washing it clean and having to reapply everything. lol I guess I'm a lazy traveler.
 (Image from Wayne Wallace)
5. Ignore Costs. In airports, you'll find that even in third world countries your coffee is going to be double Starbucks price.  I think my mom said a popsicle was 5 euros in Paris, and I spent 128RMB in Beijing airport for a teeny tiny cup of cappuccino (it was espresso sized). But what are you going to do? You need water, no? If you're stuck in transit most likely you'll need water even if you brought your own food (I do when I come home from more exotic places), but it'd be ridiculous to deny your body bottled water or a good meal just because you think it's too expensive--Not when you're already dehydrated! For a relaxing transit, buy yourself the cheapest water deal you can get, preferably two bottles at once (as I've been going through Heathrow I always get mine from Boots for a good price) and then think about what else you need. Is it coffee? Is it something sweet? Is it a real meal because you hate airplane food? Is it Burger King? XD Just go get it, put it on a credit card (you should know in advance which credit card has the cheapest exchange rate), and don't worry about it.
6. Don't drink alcohol on the plane.  Or coffee, or even tea.  You should not be drinking anything that further dehydrates you on the plane. When I say go get that coffee I meant in the airport, not while in the air.  Besides, alcohol is a stimulant and would not give you restful sleep anyhow. You would be better off taking melatonin (sold in airport pharmacies) than drinking a bottle or two of red wine.

7. Don't over-pack. Used to happen to me often when I traveled alone, I would bring everything I could think of using while bored in the airport and my bag would end up being too heavy and I'd suffer from muscle pain the next day (after arrival). I would pack snacks (everything from raisins to coffee drops), a book to read, a music player, my laptop, a notebook/notepad in case if I feel inspired to write, my journal (I used to just sit in a cafe and spill my guts on paper), two extra layers of clothing (including jacket), comfy socks, cosmetics, medication, vitamins, poker cards, school books, etc. But there was this one year when I traveled home for Christmas and all I did was carry a medium size purse (and this was a good thing because the flight was packed and I had this middle aisle seat where I was scrunched between two large males and I couldn't move) and then I just went to the store and bought myself two good magazines to read. I felt so happy. Somehow I don't feel as happy if I bring the magazine from home (did that too) so just don't pack too much. You don't need it all, and if you need something you can get it in the airport (see #5).
(Image from Zimbio)
8. Follow regulations. Prepare the zip lock bags before you go to the airport or at least in the airport before you get stopped for it (they usually provide you zip lock bags).  Don't bring your own water, don't bring knives (not even nail clippers), lighters, hairspray, nailpolish, or anything else flammable that can get you in trouble and slow you down. It's really not worth the hassle, and I would know because I have had to throw out Christmas presents (the lotion in the gift box was .25ml too large & thus "breaking the rules"), Swiss army knives, lighters, supplements (no glass bottles? really?), nail clippers, eyebrow scissors, etc.  Not only can it become embarrassing when they start rummaging through your cosmetic bag for that "unidentifiable object", but it also ruins your mood for the rest of the trip.  My last trip pissed me off so much I vowed never to fly through Heathrow again.

9. Bring your cellphone AND charger. I don't know how many times I've traveled thinking I don't need my charger, I can't use my cellphone there anyway only to find that when I return I my cellphone battery has depleted itself and I cannot call anyone to find me or entertain me while I'm waiting. This last time I went I brought my charger in my purse (hence gigantic, must fit laptop charger as well you see) and I charged it in the airport lobby (next to Starbucks) and as soon as it had a bar I called yobo and asked him where he is because I'm waiting. Then I just let it charge while I texted everyone to let them know I'm back and they can call me now if they want.  Besides, you never know, maybe you want to take out that SIM card and use it while you are abroad, I know I sometimes do.
 (Image from FashionPolice)
10.Refresh yourself in the Ladies' room upon arrival.  Especially if you are being picked up by someone. Regardless of who that person is there's no reason why they have to see you looking like you just rolled off the sofa after a night of consecutive dog's naps. You can change clothes if you know you'll be going somewhere (it you're not sure this would be a good time to ask), redo your hair, wash your face, reapply your moisturizers and make up, straighten your back and return to the real world. That's how I always feel when I leave the airport, like I just stepped out of limbo.

Hope you enjoyed my thoughts on traveling, and if you're flying somewhere this summer do share! I'm not going anywhere as of yet and I'm envious of you already!


I am participating in a blogger contest held by Cabins For You. Cabins For You specializes in cabin rentals located in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge TN. For more information about cabins, events and attractions please visit their blog.

Tuesday, July 6

But I want it! Eye massager!

I was going to mention this earlier but I'm glad I remembered it now! I went to Brookstone on Saturday (checked out sales, remember?) and I fell in love with this eye massage-r!

If you're prone to migraines like me, or if your shoulders ache because your eyes are tired (trying pressing on your eyes; if it hurts they are tired!) then you'll LOVE this!  It gently massages your temples and the acupressure spots around your eyes and releases tension.  It has 3 programs and I tried them all and they were great! I felt so much better, I could see better, and it was just refreshing.

It's a little pricey at $60 but for my well-being I plan on investing one in the future!

Do you recommend any anti-tension, anti-stress products? I'm all tied up like a pretzel x.x;

Friday, July 2

Zoya Nail Polish Exchange

A while back Jennifer posted about Zoya's limited time Nail polish Exchange on her blog, and I had meant to post this earlier, but I had some issues deciding on which nail polishes to recycle. Unfortunately the summer promotion is already over, but in a nutshell I can explain to you that Zoya's polishes are toxin free (don't quote me, but this is how I understood it), and so they will exchange a minimum of six of your (toxic) polishes for full size, brand new ones, just for the price of shipping!  On Amazon Zoya's polishes go for about $7/bottle (more in stores, I believe), but with this offer I got each polish for $3.50 (total order was $21)! Good deal eh?

So these are the bottles that I'm sending in to Zoya:
1. OPI nailpolish I got from Ebay that ended up spilling on the way, plus the color wasn't too flattering (I was going for reddish brown but this was the wrogn tone.
2&3. Milani nailpolishes (one is bright yellow, which I use for my toes, and the other is a light pink), which I really don't like. The formula is too watery and you need about 3 layers to get the right color. They also chip very easily so I always regret putting on the pink the very next day (sometimes on the same day!), hence why  I'm ridding of them even though I've barely used them.
4-6. Icing metallic gold, purple and (nonmetallic) bright yellow. These I actually quite like, for my toes mainly, but they are very old (how long can you use nail polish?), and small, and ridiculously hard to remove (which translates to less chipping, but still).

Overall processing and shipping took a little more than a week, and the package arrived a few days ago with a brochure of all 300 of their color options.  I had a really hard time choosing colors online, but I want to wear these (nontoxic) nail polishes more than others, so I opted for colors that are more neutral, and that I can wear all year long (regardless of season or my skin tone). So here's what I got:
Three purple tones:
1.  401 Lyric (more reddish)
2. 458 Zara (blueish)
3. 193 Deidra (more grayish)
4. 492 Penny (for my toes :D)
5. 317 Fawne
6. 035 Dulcinea (perfect for daily use!)

So far I'm quite pleased with what I've received, I will hopefully have time to review one of them this weekend!

Happy Friday/Weekend! :D:D:D