About a year ago, I saw photographs of an elfin creature. The realism and fantasy in the photo was stunning. Since then I've been researching how this person took this photo and what exactly her subject was.
After a lot of googling I found out that it was a ball-jointed doll, specifically the ones made in Japan and Korea. I like the Asian ball-jointed dolls (a.k.a. BJDs) because they look like anime character with their large doe-eyes.
I finally bit the bullet and bought one and she arrived today! I couldn't believe the level of customization that goes into these dolls when I was going through the process of ordering her. Each company that makes them has a certain look and price point. Once you've chosen the company and the look then you choose the skin color, body type, clothes, eyes, faceup (makeup), wig, accessories... After all that you're guaranteed to have a doll with a unique look! I can't wait to get more outfits, do some body blushing, give her a manicure then TAKE MORE PICS!! Below is just The Beginning... *Peace*
I just had to post a quick update regarding my use of Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Nail Strips. I can sum it up in one word. IMPRESSED! I wish I had remembered to take a picture of my nails because they lasted at least 1.5 weeks (approx. 11 days) before showing signs of wear. To be honest they lasted far longer than that because I didn't need to change my nails until at least 2 weeks had passed!!
Some reviews reported that the edge near the cuticle was prone to lifting. That wasn't the case with me. There was a tiny bit of lifting on a couple fingers but it was only at the corners and it was very hard to tell that anything was amiss. After the 2 week mark, which is way past the advertised use, the lifting started to cause the edge to chip away. That was the only place that chipped. You would think the tips of my nails would start to chip and crack but that didn't happen...ever. The only reason I cleaned my nails was because it was showing a large growth gap and I could no longer ignore it.
I'm excited to put on the other design. I believe that taking my time and being meticulous about the application of the strips (pushing down the edges and smoothing out the strip over clean and buffed nails) really helped make them last. I would buy this again and all of you should if you want these beautiful designs on your nails! *Peace*
Ever since discovering shellac manicures, I've taken a bit of a hiatus in doing my own nails and nail designs. I've been pampering myself by having shellac manicures done on my nails at my local spa, Jadyn Taylor, in Alameda. The convenience of this type of manicure is that there is no drying time and they last 3 weeks or more! My nails stay perfect and glossy as if I've just had a fresh manicure!!
What's the drawback then? Well, I'll tell you...
1. They can be a tad expensive. It's an extra service on top of your manicure. At most places, it doubles the price of your manicure (but still worth it because of the long-lasting, chip-proof manicure).
2. No designs!! Need I say more? You get one color and that's it so make sure you love it because it's at least a 3 week commitment. ;)
3. Limited colors. Although I have to say that CND Shellac has been coming out with more and more colors lately, they are still on the more natural side (pinks, nudes, reds, etc.)
Now Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips has been out for awhile but I've never tried them. I keep getting mixed reviews about them and was afraid to try. The price was an added issue. $10 for a one-use nail item!! I get nail polish for cheaper than that and the bottle will last me a good long while! I walked by the display last night and I finally bought 2 (it was buy 1 and get 1 half off). I bought Mod About You (shown above with the contents laid out) and Aflorable (shown on the right). I thought I'd try Mod About You first because I was much more in love with the Aflorable pattern. I'd rather mess up with Mod than with Aflorable. LOL
One of the selling points of this product is that it's easy and quick to use. Unfortunately, that's not the case. I have to say the prep time took me awhile. I followed all the tips in the reviews I read. I took my time making sure my cuticles were all pushed back, nails buffed and shaped, and free from any oils or dirt by rubbing acetone on them. Once that was done I started matching the strips to each finger, trying to see which fit my nails the best and have them already laid out. Youtube was very helpful in seeing exactly what I needed to do. I made very little mistakes. The one that I learned from quickly was to be careful using the cuticle stick given. They say to use the stick to push down the edges and smooth them out. Well if you rub it too hard on your nail it will scrape and/or move the strip! So I didn't rub as much as just push down the edges to make sure they have adhered nicely to my nail. All in all the entire process took me over an hour! It wasn't quick and it certainly wasn't easy.
The other issue was about the strips themselves. They tended to curl in on themselves so it was hard to line them up with my nail. I also have both small and large nails and the widths of the strips didn't always match my nail. It's not too noticeable unless you are really looking closely. There's only a slight bit of my nail on the side showing. I've sometimes missed that part when I've painted my nails myself. It's not a big deal. I took the extra step of putting a top coat, as many have suggested, just to give it that bit of protection and hopefully make it last longer. Here's the final product:
Not bad right? I love the colorful design and definitely not something I can do by hand. All in all I'm pretty happy with the results. It remains to be seen whether or not it will last the 10 days it claims. For the price, I think I'd get them for special occasions but not on a regular basis. It takes me the same amount of time to design my own nails using my Konad stamping kit, decals, or just by hand. At least when I do it that way I know that it will last at least two weeks with my protective top coat and won't cost me as much since I already have all the materials. I will definitely post an update as well as show what Aflorable looks like on me next time around. *Peace*
I am not one of those people who eat to live. I live to eat! I love trying and savoring different flavors of food. I'm also completely willing to try anything once, as long as it's not ALIVE! I draw the line there!! :) That's why when my friend Holly told me about Food Social www.food-social.org and one of their events, I was there! Why would I miss coming to an event that showcased up and coming street vendors and their yummy food?!?
So on January 21st, 2012, at around 4:30 pm, my hubby, Mumsy, and I made our way to San Francisco. Boy is it hard to find parking on 22nd Street in the Mission District. The neighborhood was alive and kicking and we were lucky to find a spot to park that was only a couple blocks away. Upon arrival I was immediately caught up in orgasmic, foodie smells, taunting me and telling me to hurry up and eat. So began my foodie adventures that night!
I jumped into the nearest line and ordered the above slider. I love sashimi and I'm quite picky about where eat it and what I eat so I was excited that Sliders with a Kick served ahi tuna. Although the fish was extremely fresh and wonderfully seasoned, and the accompanying veggies gave the burger an unexpected pickled flavor, it was too small in proportion to the bun. The bread overwhelmed the taste of the fish and veggies. I threw away the top bun and just ate the fish and veggies over the lower bun and it was perfect. Just enough bread with just enough fish that I shared with my hubby. He loved it as well. :)
The making of my Burgogi Burger.
My next meal was the Burgogi burger that I found cooking outside on the balcony. Mouthwatering beef patty with some bulgogi, a fried egg, and kimchi on top. It was all tied together with a spicy aioli sauce. TO...DIE...FOR!!! I have only one little suggestion, which I would've done if I could've taken this burger home with me (it wasn't going to last that long!). Because the kimchi's flavor is very powerful, it is hard to taste the rest of the burger. The beef patty needs more seasoning, possibly seasoned the same as the bulgogi, then you'd be able to taste the meat in conjunction with the kimchi. I would also have seasoned the egg as well. This burger is a brilliant idea and a deliciously filling meal. It's definitely the BEST burger I have ever had.
Yummy in my tummy.
Well I feel full just recounting what I had eaten! Haha... I was ready for my dessert and I found it at RSF Bakes. I bought one plum and one apricot galette. One bite of the flaky, buttery pastry and the sweet, ripe fruit and I was on cloud nine. I literally closed my eyes and savored the moment the pastry crumbled and melted in my mouth. I wish I had bought more.
Unfortunately, I only have one stomach and that was all I could fit into it. My tummy was well and truly satisfied. The same couldn't be said for my poor hubby, which brings me to my other point. My baby is a vegetarian/pescatarian for health reasons and the choices were lacking in that area. That was why we had to leave the event early, to FEED HIM. Hopefully, at the next event, there will be more vegetarian choices for those who choose to or can't eat meat. But damn, even with the lack of vegetarian choices, my hubby, Mumsy, and I were still glad to have made it. What food we were able to taste was delicious. Count us all a fan and eager for more events like this in the future!!
Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a BIG FOODIE! So it's no wonder that I'm super excited about this Food Social event sponsored by Simi Winery and hosted at the WIX Lounge. YAY!! Saturday, January 21st at 5:00 pm there will be food, wine, and music at the WIX Lounge on 3169 22nd St., 3rd Fl., San Francisco. What more can you want on a Saturday night?!? It's not too late to RSVP by registering at their website posted above.
Of course I'll be taking pictures of all the food and people so STAY TUNED! I'll be reviewing the food and you'll be able to see pictures of all the mouth-watering dishes I will taste. Sample photos will be posted here as well as on my photography website:
Smoking is terrible for your health and second-hand smoke is even worse. That is why I'm so happy that the city of Alameda has passed an ordinance banning smoking in public areas INCLUDING inside apartment complexes and even outside on private balconies! As someone who lives in an apartment complex, I'm thrilled!!
I'm a non-smoker and I absolutely hate it when my neighbors light up and I'm forced to close my windows because I don't want to inhale that nasty smell. Winter months...I'm ok. Summertime?? It's stifling hot on the 3rd floor and the only way to cool the apartment is to open all the windows and let the cool breeze from the beach come through. Sometimes I just have to choose the cool breeze and deal with the second-hand smoke. It's not worth closing up my apartment especially when the weather is hot as hell. Soon I won't have to worry about that. I'm also free to walk around Park St. and Southshore without inadvertently walking into a cloud of foul smoke. *happy sigh*
I found the above article while doing my daily perusal of the local news. From the title and accompanying photos, I thought that gosh darn it here goes another company going under leaving former employees to fend for themselves. Upon closer inspection, the title leaves much left unsaid. In actuality, after an I-9 audit conducted by ICE, this man, David Herrera, along with many others are being laid off because they are illegal immigrants. The I-9 audits check workers' legal status through the records they submit to their employers.
Pacific Steel had no choice but to lay off an estimated 200 employees because they couldn't prove their legal status. What do I say to that? I say there are 200 job openings available for unemployed, legal residents. Come and get 'em!! I'm sorry (Eh I'm really not) that you may find this a bit harsh. As the daughter of legal immigrants who are now U.S. Citizens, I don't have any words of comfort for them. While yes, I do sympathize and pity their situation, on the otherhand Mr. Herrera "always knew this could happen" and I'm sure he wasn't the only one! This is what you risk when you come to the U.S. illegally. He wouldn't be in this situation if he had started the legal process for coming to the U.S. He came to this country in 1991. Do you mean to tell me that in the 20+ years he was here he never got around to fixing his status, trying to legalize his stay? Of course not, because he doesn't have the intention of ever doing that. Not when he can just wait till his daughter, who was born here and therefore automatically became a U.S. citizen, comes of age and petitions the government to give her parents citizenship.
I'm sick of seeing articles that wrongly draw on our sympathies. Wrongly? Yes. Illegal immigrants come into this country illegally and in order to function in our society, have to forge documents and or steal identities. They take jobs that can go to someone else who is here legally. More importantly, they dismiss the immigration process that many others are trudging slowly through in order to get the chance to come to this country. It isn't fair for them to "jump the line" and have no consequences for their behavior. These are the consequences and rightly so.
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