Change of pace: A creative post

She busily goes about her day in a rush to get somewhere. She's in a rush to get ready. She's waiting impatiently in line for her daily coffee. The crisp air envelopes her in the anticipation and pending list of expectations.

She draws in a long breath of air to fill her lungs. In her mind, she musters up a game plan on how to execute her day. She ponders as she walks along the street filled with people who are equally determined for something. The day is a blur. There are a couple memorable encounters because she is passionate to some extent.

But, really? She's still half asleep. She tries to shake herself up. Some nights, a feeling of nostalgia washes over her and her former, hidden self nudges her soul. "Wake up." "Why do you mask your capabilities in feeling and expression just to stay tough or appear competent?"

Oh, New York. A city full of dreams and ambition. A city full of diversity. In a city of these possibilities, she still dreams of walking along the pyramids. She dreams of lazily sitting at a cafe in Paris enjoying a coffee and writing in a notebook. A notebook that has character and tattered edges. Not a laptop or iPhone. Not in a hurry.

Times keep changing. Life keeps speeding up. What happened to the girl who used to read and write and feel so much?

She's hidden in the flurry of a pretension of living in today's society. Oh, the irony of life today and always. You're either a "success"or a starving artist. You're either comfortable in the gluttony of comfort, or uncomfortable in your pursuit of purpose. You're either selfish, or more inquisitive of a life that can only be lived once.

Sulwhasoo: Overnight Vitalizing Treatment

Is winter wreaking havoc on your skin? There's a solution and rescue treatment. This "mask" is light and restorative for those undergoing stress from all elements. I like to especially apply this on my hands throughout the day because of constant hand washing.

The special herbs contained in this treatment boost moisture levels within depleted skin and rejuvenates it. You can apply this over your moisturizer for an added boost. Apply it 10 minutes before bed and rinse it off in the morning.

You'll be glad you did.

Sulwhasoo is currently available in the US exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman. 

(212) 872-8726

Dream Bridesmaid Look

 

I have an event coming up for work that is at the Waldorf, and I was thinking I would love to walk in with a leather jacket and evening gown. This look featured is Naeem Khan (dress) and Philip Lim 3.1 (jacket), and I love it! It's both edgy, fun, and flattering. The dress flows so beautifully and the jacket is adorned with great detail. I also am attending my first wedding this year as a bridesmaid as well. Perhaps I can wear a leather jacket with my ensemble? I just love the cohesion of feminine and edgy.

As for the work event, I will stick to a trendy cocktail dress but doesn't long, ethereal dresses just take your breath away?

Sally Hansen Salon Effects: Real Nail Polish Strips

I've been curious about these nail strips, and I finally decided to pick some up on my Duane Reade run. I chose this one  featured in the picture, "Kitty, Kitty" and "Glitz Blitz" which consists of gold glitter. I am going to use the bling strips later. Since it was my first time, I don't think I did it perfectly, but it is pretty fool-proof. Make sure you press the strip against your nails and smooth out any creases due to your nail shape. Then you can fold it around the edges and file it off as said in the directions, but I found myself carefully tearing the excess AFTER shaping it and folding it over my nail edges. Then, you can softly file away any excess.

Also, it comes with a nail file, wooden cuticle stick, and 16 strips (just in case you mess up, but I found myself using only one pack of the two for my tiny nails). The product retails around $9.99.

Have fun! The patterns are a whole lot of fun, and it's great for impatient people like me. I just cannot wait for my nails to dry for the life of me.

Veronika's Makeover

Before

After

Meet Veronika. She's my fireball Russian friend originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. She's beautiful with and without makeup because I know her in and out. Her spirit and natural beauty are wonderful things to have as an individual, yet she is never fully satisfied. Even so, I still adore this individual for all that she is. She is a representation that superficial beauty is not sufficient to keep someone being "beautiful". Now, let's go about the process of "dolling up" and what it took to do so...

Eyes: She wanted me to give her a nice look for a night out with her guy and his friends. She is a minimalist in makeup, and I decided to do a slightly subtle smoky eye with my Kat Von D palette of colors that include a beautiful purple and gold. I mixed a matte brown color in the outer corner of her eyes to soften the smoky look whilst accentuating her bone structure.

Lips: Her lip color is MAC's lipstick Amplified in Blankety. The lipgloss on top is MAC's Plushglass in Ample Pink.

Cheeks: Nars blush in Luster.

Makeup can be a girl's helpful friend. As Elizabeth Arden quoted: "There is never an ugly woman, only lazy ones." With that said, I don't think that is entirely true, but the quote does bring to light that it does take some work to try to look good. Don't act like you wake up stunningly beautiful everyday, and if that is the case, good for you! Otherwise, it is fun to doll up even once in a while because you only live a day at a time to look your best and save the world while you're at it, too. ;)

Nude Lip Gloss Guess turned Hit! Under $10

This New York weather and tons of to-do's for the month has left me under the weather. So, I find myself a bit forgetful with my horrendous cold, and I leave my make-up pouch at home as I leave for work. Also, I had to go to one of my good friend's birthday celebration, and I found myself lipgloss-less. This is not good for me. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I'm sure some girls can relate.

I go with my pal (who happens to do ad design for Maybelline) Jess to a quick-stop pharmacy because even Sephora was closed at the time. So out of the array, I pick up Maybelline's Color Sensational lip gloss in 255 "A Touch of Toffee". I had to guess that this would be a color that is suitable with my likes of nudes WITHOUT trying it out on my hand. Guess what? It was a nice milky finish, and the color is a nice one alone or on top of a lipstick. It will add a pretty, slightly translucent finish. There's not much glitter in it. It's natural and flattering.

I found a nice substitution for under $10! Try it out, you will probably love it as much as I do.

Facebook changed You.

The Social Network

Whether you realize it or not, Facebook has changed the way we all interact. I know multitudes of people who adorn their pages in care with constant updates. There is so much to do with this outlet of expression that people rely on it heavily for expression, attention, and entertainment. We all take part of the frenzy in varying degrees, but it doesn't change the fact that it has changed you if you do utilize it. There are those who refuse to give in to the idea of sharing your "private life" with the world, but this excuse seems to diminish slowly as well. There are privacy options as you slowly ease out of your comfort level in sharing with others about your life and yourself which enable you to control what you share.

For those who have actively used Facebook over the years, do you recall how life was without it? Do you remember how you kept in touch with those that you rarely see? Were you able to share your daily complaints, revelations, and every thought that crossed your mind with the hundreds to even thousands of people you accumulated on your "Friends List"?

It's all a grand show. Immediate gratification. Instant access. Source of entertainment. Overload of information, pictures, and updates. Our lives and society are rapidly changing just like your News Feed, and you either choose to participate or not in it.

 I feel the huge phenomenon of the site has defined the years of the "Social Networking" era. The Social Network artfully caught our attention because whether you realize it or not, Facebook has become a part of your identity. Millions of you were captivated by this film because it told a story about something you may unknowingly have attachment to-- it's a part of your life.