So Monday is my birthday, so of course I wanted BIG THINGS for this weekend. I'm always like that I guess. My original plan (circa 2-3 months ago) was to have a big Halloween bash at my house. Three things kind of got in the way of that: I haven't made that many friends yet, my apartment doesn't really read "Big Halloween Bash" because of the size. It's not small, but maybe the floorplan is what makes it not ideal. Plus...it's far away from most ppl and kind of a pain to get to. Anywho, problem number three is the lack of costumes in this area. So.....plan A went out the window.
Plan B was to go back home, and have a good old time with the old friendies. However, they weren't as enthused as I was...I wanted to go to a rave, or go to WeHo... all dressed up. I got people saying they weren't sure if they were gonna wear costumes, or have the day off of work. Plus, the boyfriend didn't want to spend loads of cash just to go home for a couple of days and He didn't feel that it was the right time to start asking for time off of work. (One of his coworkers just went on her honeymoon this last week). So plan B was scrapped.
Plan C was to go to Tokyo. I had to find a way to spoil myself, and Japan seemed like the final answer. But due to poor planning and certain budgetary limits it got put on hold too. We should have learned from our Floridian adventure several months ago to plan ahead better--but I guess it just wasn't really on my mind until it was too late. I thought getting to Tokyo would be a lot easier (and cheaper) than it was. But I misjudged the proximity between these two island lands. *Note I refer to South Korea as an Island, because for all intensive purposes at the moment North Korea doesn't exist. One cannot easily travel through it, enter into it, etc. So it might as well be a body of water.
So we ended up staying local, and doing nothing extraordinary. A trip to Fridays did put a smile on my face because they decorated, and our school had a party on friday that was cute and fun. Yesterday we went to a Mexican restaurant in Haeundae. We had been to Fuzzy Navel several times before (both the one in Seomeyon and Haeundae). But this time we went to a smaller venue that is ironically right next to the Fuzzy Navel. Now I can't remember the name of it, it is something like Casa Pueblo or Casita Pueblo or something. It is literally (well almost anyway, it goes Fuzzy Navel, some steps--a Chicken and Hoff place I think and then the Caasa Pueblo place) right next to Fuzzy Navel in a bigger business-like looking building. It is about 10 feet closer to the beach.
I had been mildly satisfied with Fuzzy Navel on all of our journeys there. It rivaled some of the Mexican Places stateside (with the strange fusion of white rice in the burritos--not spanish style or anything). So anywho, I wanted to try the new place because it was more well-lit which to me arguably means cleaner. We were both surprised to see that even the Fuzzy Navel was pretty dead on Halloween. (Maybe the crowd was busy ghouling themselves up for bar hours--who knows). I still opted to go to the other place because it was chilly out (I didn't want to sit outdoors, I wanted to avoid the crowd I was still anticipating was on its way as well). And of course because I wanted to try something new.
I believe a side (a SMALL side) of beans was 2,000won. I didn't know how small it would be but it was more mushy and had a less tomato-ey flavor than the ones at the Fuzz. We got Nachos (which had cheese sauce and salsa that came on the side). They weren't fresh. I got chicken fajitas, which I was surprised came to me taco style. It came with the usual fajita flavors of bell peppers, but also cilantro (which is kind of an enemy to me--but at least they didn't pile it on), sour cream, salsa, and shredded lettuce. I wish the menus had printed what was included in each dish beforehand. The boyfriend had got a cheese quesadilla (I forgot if he got chicken or beef).
His meal was clearly more delicious, but I did love the beans--because they were a nice change of place. Strange enough, all things considered I am still wanting to venture there again. For the beans of course, but also to try the carne asada! Also, I want to have the horchata even if it will set me back a good 4,000something won.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
i believe in....
Moisturizing! The main reasons I started this blog are as follows: I love writing, and obsessing about all things related to fashion. Second, I wanted to review products that actually work and are WORTH reviewing.
That being said I always do an incredible amount of research before making most purchases (when research is possible). I noticed (by the looks of my skin) that getting a new moisturizer might be in the works for me. After following several blogs IHeartKoreanBeauty vouched for Kiehl's. This was important for one main reason: I'm in South Korea. So I trucked on over to Seomeyon's Lotte to get my dose of Kiehl's (I had never shopped this brand before, but I thought I had noticed it on one of my many trips there). Now there is a closer Lotte to me, near the PNU area. But for some reason that one is so underwhelming. Sure they have their fair share of fancy clothing, but the compactness and overall displays remind me of a Nordstrom's at a mall back home. That just isn't one dose of home I can get excited over.
So... I get to Kiehl's and get my lotion on! I ask the saleslady if they have (not ultra) facial moisturizer and she points me in the direction of tea tree something or other. She says it's because the ultra facial moisturizer I had in my hand had oil in it. Now, I'm still susceptible to break outs...and I do have combination type skin. But my dry patches and spots are... REALLY dry. Seemingly impenetrable. Aloe Vera has been my goto cleaner/moisturizer/comfort gel. But after a while I do believe that any regimen the skin gets immune to. So it's important to change it up.
I am/get allergic to things too, so that's another risk factor. However, after looking at the pricetag of two other items she suggested...I stuck to my guns. It was funny though because the first item she suggested I said was too expensive, so the next item she showed me...you guessed it...even more expensive. How Classic. Anywhoozles, I really do Love this cream. It's heavy, but that's what I needed. I don't know if this is a myth or whatever, but I heard that your skin overcompensates and get's more oily when dried out. Makes sense enough to me. So with this extra dose of soothing hydration things should get a little more balanced. Plus, winter is coming soon--and I'm stocking up for the season. So I shelled out some dough to the tune of 39,000 KRW for the smaller sized bottle.
I used to not believe in moisturizing. But after watching a gajillion makeup tutorials and witnessing my friends skin really blossom into flawlessness...I put two and two together. Plus, my grandmother has wonderful skin. At first I was hoping it's just genetics--but then I remembered how diligent she was about skin care routines. She used Jafra, I think it was the Royal Jelly but I'm not 100% (I know the product better by the smell) but there is also a similar product on the market now made by Korres. However, the Korres product is intended for the body (probably because of the strong fragrance) and because it is by Korres it is very natural. The downside of that is it's shelf life isn't as promising. If you're stateside and I've piqued your interests you can get Korres products at Ulta or off of Sephora.com.
I remember the Jafra and Avon lady coming by my grandmother's house. I guess I thought I'd always have a friend/sales lady like that stopping by. It seemed nice. But then again, I guess I don't need anyone else to instigate my shopping habits. ^_^
Eitherway hopefully this was a head's up on fantastic products. What's your favorite moisturizer? My friend loves her Olay--but I'm afraid of the chemically nature of it.
That being said I always do an incredible amount of research before making most purchases (when research is possible). I noticed (by the looks of my skin) that getting a new moisturizer might be in the works for me. After following several blogs IHeartKoreanBeauty vouched for Kiehl's. This was important for one main reason: I'm in South Korea. So I trucked on over to Seomeyon's Lotte to get my dose of Kiehl's (I had never shopped this brand before, but I thought I had noticed it on one of my many trips there). Now there is a closer Lotte to me, near the PNU area. But for some reason that one is so underwhelming. Sure they have their fair share of fancy clothing, but the compactness and overall displays remind me of a Nordstrom's at a mall back home. That just isn't one dose of home I can get excited over.
So... I get to Kiehl's and get my lotion on! I ask the saleslady if they have (not ultra) facial moisturizer and she points me in the direction of tea tree something or other. She says it's because the ultra facial moisturizer I had in my hand had oil in it. Now, I'm still susceptible to break outs...and I do have combination type skin. But my dry patches and spots are... REALLY dry. Seemingly impenetrable. Aloe Vera has been my goto cleaner/moisturizer/comfort gel. But after a while I do believe that any regimen the skin gets immune to. So it's important to change it up.
I am/get allergic to things too, so that's another risk factor. However, after looking at the pricetag of two other items she suggested...I stuck to my guns. It was funny though because the first item she suggested I said was too expensive, so the next item she showed me...you guessed it...even more expensive. How Classic. Anywhoozles, I really do Love this cream. It's heavy, but that's what I needed. I don't know if this is a myth or whatever, but I heard that your skin overcompensates and get's more oily when dried out. Makes sense enough to me. So with this extra dose of soothing hydration things should get a little more balanced. Plus, winter is coming soon--and I'm stocking up for the season. So I shelled out some dough to the tune of 39,000 KRW for the smaller sized bottle.
I used to not believe in moisturizing. But after watching a gajillion makeup tutorials and witnessing my friends skin really blossom into flawlessness...I put two and two together. Plus, my grandmother has wonderful skin. At first I was hoping it's just genetics--but then I remembered how diligent she was about skin care routines. She used Jafra, I think it was the Royal Jelly but I'm not 100% (I know the product better by the smell) but there is also a similar product on the market now made by Korres. However, the Korres product is intended for the body (probably because of the strong fragrance) and because it is by Korres it is very natural. The downside of that is it's shelf life isn't as promising. If you're stateside and I've piqued your interests you can get Korres products at Ulta or off of Sephora.com.
I remember the Jafra and Avon lady coming by my grandmother's house. I guess I thought I'd always have a friend/sales lady like that stopping by. It seemed nice. But then again, I guess I don't need anyone else to instigate my shopping habits. ^_^
Eitherway hopefully this was a head's up on fantastic products. What's your favorite moisturizer? My friend loves her Olay--but I'm afraid of the chemically nature of it.
disconnected state
So my internet was down for iono a tad bit over 42 hours. And...it wasn't fun. The first day I thought the television was out too, only to find the next day it was because the boyfriend had unplugged the cable box. For that reason, on the second day I sifted through the Korean channels to find the ones with the greatest amount of American influence. The strange thing is before I got here, well, it was several years ago so maybe that has something to do with it...I would watch K-dramas. Not all the time, but iono I thought that I would HAD I known that the same show would be on at X time. Now I could probably be afforded such an opportunity, but I don't feel the urge to.
There is one Japanese drama that I actually bought online because I loved it so. And since I left the disc at home I don't remember what it was called. I think it had to do with a mother who suffered amnesia, I never finished the disc because it was lovely and romantic and....I was in a less than romantic state at that moment.
I guess ultimately this blog is about people's obsession with what is foreign. It's got that exotic allure. I remember reading the forums before getting here and people were like they'll love you if you're American because to them you're exotic. I don't always get that sense.
But now my love for K-dramas is it vanquished? I do love hearing foreign sounds and voices, but now that I'm in Korea it's in my face all the time everywhere. So it hasn't got that same shiny new appeal.
So I was singing instead, "I Want My Mtv!" watching National Geographic, finding the cartoon channels--looking for familiar faces. Now I did watch a K-Pop music video or two, but there it was. The day prior I was able to amuse myself somewhat by watching a film I discovered a year or so ago--a review soon to come.
Today I saw a wedding, and they were just so perfect.
I'm wondering when for most people the telltale signs of homesickness come to life?
I honestly don't miss home, I hadn't been home for a long time anyhow--even when I was stateside. I read on someone's blog a quote saying something along the lines of one doesn't have to be lost to be a wanderer. And maybe that's what it is, or maybe I'm just very much both of those things.
There is one Japanese drama that I actually bought online because I loved it so. And since I left the disc at home I don't remember what it was called. I think it had to do with a mother who suffered amnesia, I never finished the disc because it was lovely and romantic and....I was in a less than romantic state at that moment.
I guess ultimately this blog is about people's obsession with what is foreign. It's got that exotic allure. I remember reading the forums before getting here and people were like they'll love you if you're American because to them you're exotic. I don't always get that sense.
But now my love for K-dramas is it vanquished? I do love hearing foreign sounds and voices, but now that I'm in Korea it's in my face all the time everywhere. So it hasn't got that same shiny new appeal.
So I was singing instead, "I Want My Mtv!" watching National Geographic, finding the cartoon channels--looking for familiar faces. Now I did watch a K-Pop music video or two, but there it was. The day prior I was able to amuse myself somewhat by watching a film I discovered a year or so ago--a review soon to come.
Today I saw a wedding, and they were just so perfect.
I'm wondering when for most people the telltale signs of homesickness come to life?
I honestly don't miss home, I hadn't been home for a long time anyhow--even when I was stateside. I read on someone's blog a quote saying something along the lines of one doesn't have to be lost to be a wanderer. And maybe that's what it is, or maybe I'm just very much both of those things.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
...so i had an interesting....
_________ moment...at least it felt that way.
I went to Shinsegae in Centum City to just buy some new dang foundation...after giving up on the NarsQuest 2000. I got Burger King, like a sad American expat would. (Not literally sad, but I always feel Ashamed yes with a capital A any time I go to American food joints namely fast food ones like Mc Donalds or Burger King when there is so much other fare around--yet I do it more than twice a week.) My excuse for this is I can have Korean food when I visit le bf's work...so...why would I want to pay for Korean food? ha_Ha unless of course I'm trying to be thrifty...then black bean noodles it is! SoOoo I'm waiting for my food after hitting a few road bumps...the ppl say something in Korean and then they say Whopper in English...and I look at the guy waiting for his food and he hesitating and then was like "is that...urs?"
Now I had heard him talking to his friend prior (just barely) and I thought I heard English, and not only that...but it was California English. It was seriously like catnip. Anywho I grabbed the food (cuz I don't really know what I ordered for sure anyways-I can't see menus without glasses). And I never used to eat fast food in the states, so I usually just let the bf order for me--he knows what I like. SoOoO I grab the food and I walk away to a comfortable spot where people wont stare at me and I can watch the ice skaters.
Then I see this guy strutting over with purpose. It was the worker from Burger King, I had taken the other guys food. I got a bacon whopper, he got a regular...and hence the mix up. Then..I see the guys come over whose food I had taken. I resolved to say hello, and give them my extra coke. We were talking, and I couldn't hear everything he was saying--but it was right he was from California but had lived in Korea the last few years. Then the KO...kid was in HIGH SCHOOL. I thought he was just some small dude. So I wrapped that convo up right quick. I wasn't hitting on them, or had those intentions, I just thought hey some cool new friends...and I just felt like such a cougar.
slight fail?
I read somewhere its not common for a: people (koreans) to go places alone.
and b: for people to be friends of vast age languages
and u know what they say, when in rome do as the romans do...so i'm just trying to stick to both programmes and ...keep hitting errors.
I went to Shinsegae in Centum City to just buy some new dang foundation...after giving up on the NarsQuest 2000. I got Burger King, like a sad American expat would. (Not literally sad, but I always feel Ashamed yes with a capital A any time I go to American food joints namely fast food ones like Mc Donalds or Burger King when there is so much other fare around--yet I do it more than twice a week.) My excuse for this is I can have Korean food when I visit le bf's work...so...why would I want to pay for Korean food? ha_Ha unless of course I'm trying to be thrifty...then black bean noodles it is! SoOoo I'm waiting for my food after hitting a few road bumps...the ppl say something in Korean and then they say Whopper in English...and I look at the guy waiting for his food and he hesitating and then was like "is that...urs?"
Now I had heard him talking to his friend prior (just barely) and I thought I heard English, and not only that...but it was California English. It was seriously like catnip. Anywho I grabbed the food (cuz I don't really know what I ordered for sure anyways-I can't see menus without glasses). And I never used to eat fast food in the states, so I usually just let the bf order for me--he knows what I like. SoOoO I grab the food and I walk away to a comfortable spot where people wont stare at me and I can watch the ice skaters.
Then I see this guy strutting over with purpose. It was the worker from Burger King, I had taken the other guys food. I got a bacon whopper, he got a regular...and hence the mix up. Then..I see the guys come over whose food I had taken. I resolved to say hello, and give them my extra coke. We were talking, and I couldn't hear everything he was saying--but it was right he was from California but had lived in Korea the last few years. Then the KO...kid was in HIGH SCHOOL. I thought he was just some small dude. So I wrapped that convo up right quick. I wasn't hitting on them, or had those intentions, I just thought hey some cool new friends...and I just felt like such a cougar.
slight fail?
I read somewhere its not common for a: people (koreans) to go places alone.
and b: for people to be friends of vast age languages
and u know what they say, when in rome do as the romans do...so i'm just trying to stick to both programmes and ...keep hitting errors.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Hello, Sunshine.
Well, it's actually quite late out here and I seem to never to get to bed at a decent hour. I spent quite a ridiculous chunk of change this weekend. We have been invited to a wedding so me that translates to many a thing: namely I need something to wear. Shopping in Korea has proposed a big question mark for me. I love shopping, I do. I really really do. Limited communication however, puts a slight damper on things. The little shops too, although they are something I enjoy also propose another issue...only so many dresses per store etc...so there's a lot of stuff to weed through. Similarly, when another expat told me shopping was intimidating here I kind of looked at her like she had to be kidding--but ever since then I guess it's had an effect on me. It is kind of intimidating, she said something along the line of everything is in one size...and for us size 10 girls... one size clearly does NOT fit all.
The pair of boots I bought, and were pictured just a couple posts ago...are a tight squeeze. I find myself asking shopkeepers "if this will fit" expecting them to know what I mean. That is a phrase I need to learn in Korean for sure, but unless they give me a yes or no...it wont help much anyhow. I ask and most of the time I don't believe anyway, they tell me no...and I think they are overestimating my size. Three had told me yes, one for a dress (I bought several weeks ago--it's short but layered it works just fine) and the other for two were for leggings. The leggings from shopkeeper one, I bought two: a grey lace with white flowers bit... that does fit like a glove... the other a ripped brown piece that..cuts me bum off in a rather unflattering way.
The next shopkeeper I bought these black sexy tights from, and when I took them out of the package I was in shock. They were TEENY TINY.... but lo and behold a lot of stretching later and they fit like a dream. The black pair will hopefully be part of my wedding outfit.
Anywho, because I have the patience of a two year old and a credit card...and a knack for spending too much time doing "research" on stupid shit on the internet...I ended up getting a dress along with several other items from ASOS. Hopefully this fits beautifully so I can post pictures and do a review. Here's to crossing my fingers.
I'm starting to follow more expat and Korean blogs, and who knows if ppl will start following me... but if they do I was wondering what websites ppl shop from. I'm still waiting on my boyfriend getting his ARC card for Korean websites, but even then my abilities will be limited (reading all that Korean will just torture my brain). As far as European/American webpages I'm interested to know where everyone shops. Asos promises to get me my shipment on or before this Friday so I shelled out 30 some odd bucks for shipment. I figured that was a fair rate.
The next purchase I'm looking forward (well, kind of) to is some Foundation. I am TIRED of the whitening creams here. Me whiter = washed out. I'm quite tan, I know that... and I don't mind it. I want something that is in my color and isn't cakey. Is that too much to ask? I really want to try Nars Sheer Glow Foundation but I don't know if I can find that here at all...
And I know much of this blog so far dwells on shallow things (maybe less so in the movie review). But that's kind of where I am at in life? I could provide an explanation...but...eh... I'm kind of unapologetic feeling about it.
The pair of boots I bought, and were pictured just a couple posts ago...are a tight squeeze. I find myself asking shopkeepers "if this will fit" expecting them to know what I mean. That is a phrase I need to learn in Korean for sure, but unless they give me a yes or no...it wont help much anyhow. I ask and most of the time I don't believe anyway, they tell me no...and I think they are overestimating my size. Three had told me yes, one for a dress (I bought several weeks ago--it's short but layered it works just fine) and the other for two were for leggings. The leggings from shopkeeper one, I bought two: a grey lace with white flowers bit... that does fit like a glove... the other a ripped brown piece that..cuts me bum off in a rather unflattering way.
The next shopkeeper I bought these black sexy tights from, and when I took them out of the package I was in shock. They were TEENY TINY.... but lo and behold a lot of stretching later and they fit like a dream. The black pair will hopefully be part of my wedding outfit.
Anywho, because I have the patience of a two year old and a credit card...and a knack for spending too much time doing "research" on stupid shit on the internet...I ended up getting a dress along with several other items from ASOS. Hopefully this fits beautifully so I can post pictures and do a review. Here's to crossing my fingers.
I'm starting to follow more expat and Korean blogs, and who knows if ppl will start following me... but if they do I was wondering what websites ppl shop from. I'm still waiting on my boyfriend getting his ARC card for Korean websites, but even then my abilities will be limited (reading all that Korean will just torture my brain). As far as European/American webpages I'm interested to know where everyone shops. Asos promises to get me my shipment on or before this Friday so I shelled out 30 some odd bucks for shipment. I figured that was a fair rate.
The next purchase I'm looking forward (well, kind of) to is some Foundation. I am TIRED of the whitening creams here. Me whiter = washed out. I'm quite tan, I know that... and I don't mind it. I want something that is in my color and isn't cakey. Is that too much to ask? I really want to try Nars Sheer Glow Foundation but I don't know if I can find that here at all...
And I know much of this blog so far dwells on shallow things (maybe less so in the movie review). But that's kind of where I am at in life? I could provide an explanation...but...eh... I'm kind of unapologetic feeling about it.
Friday, October 15, 2010
If it's...
Campiness you want, campiness you shall have. Drum roll please, for what I feel to be the most underrated movie of all time...
This next flick was written by Diablo Cody, the same person who wrote the movie Juno. If you have seen Juno then you'll have a vague sense of what your in for. If you haven't you should. Jennifer's Body like Juno is about the experience of being a girl from the middle of nowhere during her adolescent (teen) years. However, there is one grandoise twist--this story is within a larger story one that reads Classic Horror Flick. It's got your heavy dose of contemporary gore as well, but it's one of those scary movies that wont make you afraid to go to desolate places (the Shining is PRETTY scary), or give you a blinding headache from the cereal killer thriller screams (read: Halloween... the second one by Rob Zombie).
Instead you get some noteable jumps and jolts but wont leave permanently scarred or anything. What I love about this film besides the soundtrack, costuming (hello bunny slippers, anyone), casting (yes, I actually think this is a role that even the Beautiful Megan Fox could master)...to repeat what I love most of all is the dialogue. It's fresh, witty, and is seeded with a teen-ness that reminds me I'm kind of still young and hip, well, sort of anyways. My inner geek cries out and says, this is soOoOo ?salty?
This film is definitely one that is either a total love or a total hate....From the addictive elevator music, to Amanda Seyfried (who really did an excellent job) you might just find something remarkable about this film. Put away your copies of the most overrated film of all time: the Matrix, Titanic, or Avatar and give it a chance, will ya? Also, I even saw Inception but despite the fact that anything with Leo is actor gold and the visual loveliness of that film, I find myself wanting to see this one more. Plus, I love that Megan Fox is reminding the world, one person at a time, that girls with black hair can be hella sexy too.
Does anyone want some Jello?
This next flick was written by Diablo Cody, the same person who wrote the movie Juno. If you have seen Juno then you'll have a vague sense of what your in for. If you haven't you should. Jennifer's Body like Juno is about the experience of being a girl from the middle of nowhere during her adolescent (teen) years. However, there is one grandoise twist--this story is within a larger story one that reads Classic Horror Flick. It's got your heavy dose of contemporary gore as well, but it's one of those scary movies that wont make you afraid to go to desolate places (the Shining is PRETTY scary), or give you a blinding headache from the cereal killer thriller screams (read: Halloween... the second one by Rob Zombie).
Instead you get some noteable jumps and jolts but wont leave permanently scarred or anything. What I love about this film besides the soundtrack, costuming (hello bunny slippers, anyone), casting (yes, I actually think this is a role that even the Beautiful Megan Fox could master)...to repeat what I love most of all is the dialogue. It's fresh, witty, and is seeded with a teen-ness that reminds me I'm kind of still young and hip, well, sort of anyways. My inner geek cries out and says, this is soOoOo ?salty?
This film is definitely one that is either a total love or a total hate....From the addictive elevator music, to Amanda Seyfried (who really did an excellent job) you might just find something remarkable about this film. Put away your copies of the most overrated film of all time: the Matrix, Titanic, or Avatar and give it a chance, will ya? Also, I even saw Inception but despite the fact that anything with Leo is actor gold and the visual loveliness of that film, I find myself wanting to see this one more. Plus, I love that Megan Fox is reminding the world, one person at a time, that girls with black hair can be hella sexy too.
Does anyone want some Jello?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
so..
I was listening to a song by Portishead, and saw a dubstep remix...and then had been listening to many dubstep remixes. This one made me think of the film City of God. And it's more than just the rhythmic African drums, or signature Latin piano that took me there. It's vibrant and lovely, but the words of the song has this kind of yearning and longing. That is the world that was painted before me in this film. It's about life in Rio de Janero, Brazil. It is a place I have never been but I feel (at least to some degree I understand their pain). The pain that happens when you live in poverty, when you see the people you love make the wrong choices. The lives that people lead when surrounded by those that are wrought with drug addiction and gang life. There is this kind of hopelessness, and feverishness. They choose these things and are fanatic because of them, whether amidst the highs of ecstasy, or the lows of withdraw. I feel this almost goes without saying, but I'm making note anyways.... this is a violent film. But I urge you to look past that, and just fast forward or mute or close your eyes to the couple of really bad scenes.
But somehow in that poverty and violence there are still beautiful moments that shine and glimmer through it all. It's almost as if when your poor you have this understanding that living in the moment is your only choice. And you can either to choose to live it miserably, or live it as amazingly as possible. Of course some people get this confused with living carelessly. Whereas middle class concerns of work life and doing what is considered proper often puts people in this perpetual limbo, this stale mate. And there always dreams of "tomorrow" of the time when those people will finally act on what they wish, or what they're feeling or do something remotely enjoyable.
Although there are flaws to both coins when it comes to how one chooses to live one's life... City of God takes you on a journey of a romanticized yet heavy chaos.
But somehow in that poverty and violence there are still beautiful moments that shine and glimmer through it all. It's almost as if when your poor you have this understanding that living in the moment is your only choice. And you can either to choose to live it miserably, or live it as amazingly as possible. Of course some people get this confused with living carelessly. Whereas middle class concerns of work life and doing what is considered proper often puts people in this perpetual limbo, this stale mate. And there always dreams of "tomorrow" of the time when those people will finally act on what they wish, or what they're feeling or do something remotely enjoyable.
Although there are flaws to both coins when it comes to how one chooses to live one's life... City of God takes you on a journey of a romanticized yet heavy chaos.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
oh my goodness!
I swear, she is so amazing! For awhile there she was seen everywhere rocking the red lipstick, so I thought that was totally rad.
yes Yes yes. And I've always loved rust colored nailpolish, or bright oranges...this one is somewhere in between.......and I just want all of her outfits right NOW!
I love her brutal honesty laced with cynacism and sarcasm. Amazing!
She had this so say about the fact that skinny is still for much of the world... Dennings told Nylon magazine, “People are obsessed. Like, do you have anything better to do than not eat and go to the gym, you freak? I mean, ask any size-zero twit if she’s read a book lately.”
Snarky, snarky...just another reason why I LOVE Kat Dennings.
okay, one fashion review, one tech review, and one more to go...I really want to do a movie review.
So far movies take up the biggest part of my knowledge repertoire because I had the biggest "love affair" with movies ever since I was about 13. As a result I've seen many films spanning many different genres. One thing that is slightly problematic is they aren't all incredibly fresh in my mind. I guess I'll start out with this one, as it's been lingering on my mind for some reason. Audrey Tautou stars in it, an actress made famous from the Foreign Film Amelie. If you haven't seen it it's a French flick about a rather eccentric young woman named Amelie. I really love the cinematography in this one. It's light and airy, bubbly and in that same note mysterious. It showcases on what it is like being an outsider and different, yet embodies a kind of innocence and optimism that just draws you in. I'm writing all of this trying to be careful not to give much away. It has given me quite an affinity to four specific things that I can recall: gnomes, photo booths, fresh outdoor food vendors, and masks.
In the film Priceless, Audrey plays a very specific kind of woman, her name is Irene and let's just say she's learned to have money on the mind. This story is a not-so classic romantic comedy so of course she meets a man who she is not particularly fond of at first. Then something develops, but it is hard to say what it will amount to in the end. The material it covers could be considered distasteful to some, but it is done in such a matter that is throughly enjoyable. It really captures some of the human experience with love and greed and all the emotion and drama inherent with all of those things.
Check out these films today if you haven't already seen them! And just an FYI Audrey Tatou has also been in such popular American films as Coco Before Chanel, A Very Long Engagement, The Da Vinci Code, and Dirty Pretty Things.
In the film Priceless, Audrey plays a very specific kind of woman, her name is Irene and let's just say she's learned to have money on the mind. This story is a not-so classic romantic comedy so of course she meets a man who she is not particularly fond of at first. Then something develops, but it is hard to say what it will amount to in the end. The material it covers could be considered distasteful to some, but it is done in such a matter that is throughly enjoyable. It really captures some of the human experience with love and greed and all the emotion and drama inherent with all of those things.
Check out these films today if you haven't already seen them! And just an FYI Audrey Tatou has also been in such popular American films as Coco Before Chanel, A Very Long Engagement, The Da Vinci Code, and Dirty Pretty Things.
my newest "baby"
Yes I may think little children from all spans of the globe are adorable. But luckly I'm not sprouting my own little bean, or adopting one. Personally, I realize I'm a very selfish and irresponsible person and thinking they are adorable isn't enough to warrant having one. So instead, I buy STUFF for myself. This last week's major purchase? A brand spanking new camera! Or at least I hope it is. I tried to buy it last last weekend and had went all the way to Nampodong (roughly a good 45 minute bus ride + 20 or some odd minute subway ride) to go meet my love. I knew there was a camera lane down there, and although I hear it pales in comparison to the kind of electronic shopping they've got going on over in Seoul I thought it was worth giving a shot anyways. I had done oodles of amazon research, and would have preferred to buy it off the site--but unfortunately since I am in South Korea they can't authorize to ship the item way out here. (Reason being is the camera lense can break and they'd have to ship me a new free one, and that's just bad inventory). Anywho, if you happen to be somewhere they CAN ship it to I highly recommend it. Reason being? Awesome warranties. I'm a pretty clumsy person when it comes to electronics and no one wants to be ultra uber cautious with them. They warranties are totally worth it--because otherwise you're just one scratch away from being out 300 some odd dollars.
I had found it at one store and wanted to look around and get dinner. Turned out to be a bad idea because the store literally closed in my face. I think that is a really BAD business strategy, but whatever. I couldn't find the camera anywhere else in the Busan area so I begrudgingly went back to the same store. I tried to plead my case for a discount: that they closed in my face, and that I came from very far away. But the guy wasn't feeling my sob story. (I'm pretty sure he understood enough of it to know what I was getting at). I got mine for 400,000 won. Which is roughly $350. It was only after someone else started helping me that I was able to get some ground for negotiations. I also got a 4 gig card with mine (for that price), so I figured it was a fair trade and I paid on credit.
So anywho, what do I have to say about this buy?
A simply AWESOME point and shoot camera. I wont lie to you guys, the reason I bought this thing is because of the beauty mode. I know, I'm such a girl--and they got me. What I was surprised to find was with the flash on all my flaws are wiped away anyhow. This camera does have a lot of functions one can tinker around with too. I'm no camera expert though so I'm slowly delving into those arenas. My main points are the camera is super light weight, I mean really it is amazing. It is slightly bulky though, but definitely not any more than your average DSLR camera. I've gone through many other brands over the years a Canon whose quality was always a little sub-par and then a Casio that just crapped out on me. Somehow the buttons on it got all mixed up, so when I press move to the right it takes me to the trash etc. Clearly that can be really problematic.
The picture quality you get from this camera is pretty unbelievable, and it's got a lot of the settings you'd really consider standard like indoor mode, multi shot etc. Also the zoom is pretty amazing and you can really either get a close close up (nearly microscopic) or you can get things that are quite a distance away from you pretty clearly. I hope to share a bunch of really stunning photos with you all soon!
I had found it at one store and wanted to look around and get dinner. Turned out to be a bad idea because the store literally closed in my face. I think that is a really BAD business strategy, but whatever. I couldn't find the camera anywhere else in the Busan area so I begrudgingly went back to the same store. I tried to plead my case for a discount: that they closed in my face, and that I came from very far away. But the guy wasn't feeling my sob story. (I'm pretty sure he understood enough of it to know what I was getting at). I got mine for 400,000 won. Which is roughly $350. It was only after someone else started helping me that I was able to get some ground for negotiations. I also got a 4 gig card with mine (for that price), so I figured it was a fair trade and I paid on credit.
So anywho, what do I have to say about this buy?
A simply AWESOME point and shoot camera. I wont lie to you guys, the reason I bought this thing is because of the beauty mode. I know, I'm such a girl--and they got me. What I was surprised to find was with the flash on all my flaws are wiped away anyhow. This camera does have a lot of functions one can tinker around with too. I'm no camera expert though so I'm slowly delving into those arenas. My main points are the camera is super light weight, I mean really it is amazing. It is slightly bulky though, but definitely not any more than your average DSLR camera. I've gone through many other brands over the years a Canon whose quality was always a little sub-par and then a Casio that just crapped out on me. Somehow the buttons on it got all mixed up, so when I press move to the right it takes me to the trash etc. Clearly that can be really problematic.
The picture quality you get from this camera is pretty unbelievable, and it's got a lot of the settings you'd really consider standard like indoor mode, multi shot etc. Also the zoom is pretty amazing and you can really either get a close close up (nearly microscopic) or you can get things that are quite a distance away from you pretty clearly. I hope to share a bunch of really stunning photos with you all soon!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
what better place to start....
Than with shoes. I know I haven't given a whole lot of info about myself yet, and this is primarily because I intended on starting out with a wix.com website (but I found that a flash site was a little too much visual and did not have much in line of capability when it comes to words), then I moved onto the idea of doing wordpress blog (in which I made a little post or two--but I found it exceedingly difficult to figure out the design details for that). I guess that just goes to show how much of a Novice blogger I really am.
I hope you all, once I get some followers anyway, can find it in your hearts to forgive me.
So as I was saying, what better place to start than with Shoes! Shoes are kind of the anchor to a fashionable outfit. I'm actually more of a flip-flops kind of girl, but out here in Korea I found a pair of boots very similar to this in a store and just had to have them. Fashionable shoes in South Korea are kind of a big deal! Coming from California it's a really different mindset, I never saw girls in heels this much before! Sure girls would wear them to the club and if they were on the red carpet but other than that they were kind of out. Maybe it's just the social circles I ran in... who knows. Anywho, I've tried wearing wedges all day out here--and I could barely do that. So the other fashionable shoe alternative out here in South Korea: boots.
(my pair)I got boots very similar to these in a store called Sisters by PNU. I was so stoked they had some in my size (because American sizing is much larger all around than Korean sizing) that I knew immediately I was going to buy them. They were a tight fit, but nothing like Cinderella's ugly stepsisters status so I just had to get them. I think the lady could read the word sucker across my face though because she said $59,000 won and I paid it. That's roughly the equivalent of $55. Now I've paid similar prices back home for boots so I had no idea how much I was getting ripped off.
So, instead I suggest you buy them from Forever 21 at a much more reasonable price point of $35.80. These shoes much like mine I feel have a remarkable improvement over Doc Martens. The side zip closure makes getting out of the boots as easy as pie. I never got around to breaking in my pair because of the pain-in-the-bum laces and the thicker material just didn't have as much give.
Anywho, these combat boots give a real stylish edge to any outfit. I love the because you can wear them with dresses, or tights and still show them off. Of course you can wear them with a pair of jeans too, but unless they are skinny jeans you'll be covering up most of the cool details like the laces and the buckles.
I love adding a military grungy vibe to my outfits, even if the rest of the look is glamour, femininity, and grace. I've got a really eclectic sense of style and enjoy layering on different motifs to create something that is uniquely my own. Needless to say these boots would also be great for a street-style urban kind of look as well. (:
I hope you all, once I get some followers anyway, can find it in your hearts to forgive me.
So as I was saying, what better place to start than with Shoes! Shoes are kind of the anchor to a fashionable outfit. I'm actually more of a flip-flops kind of girl, but out here in Korea I found a pair of boots very similar to this in a store and just had to have them. Fashionable shoes in South Korea are kind of a big deal! Coming from California it's a really different mindset, I never saw girls in heels this much before! Sure girls would wear them to the club and if they were on the red carpet but other than that they were kind of out. Maybe it's just the social circles I ran in... who knows. Anywho, I've tried wearing wedges all day out here--and I could barely do that. So the other fashionable shoe alternative out here in South Korea: boots.
from Forever 21.com
(my pair)So, instead I suggest you buy them from Forever 21 at a much more reasonable price point of $35.80. These shoes much like mine I feel have a remarkable improvement over Doc Martens. The side zip closure makes getting out of the boots as easy as pie. I never got around to breaking in my pair because of the pain-in-the-bum laces and the thicker material just didn't have as much give.
Anywho, these combat boots give a real stylish edge to any outfit. I love the because you can wear them with dresses, or tights and still show them off. Of course you can wear them with a pair of jeans too, but unless they are skinny jeans you'll be covering up most of the cool details like the laces and the buckles.
I love adding a military grungy vibe to my outfits, even if the rest of the look is glamour, femininity, and grace. I've got a really eclectic sense of style and enjoy layering on different motifs to create something that is uniquely my own. Needless to say these boots would also be great for a street-style urban kind of look as well. (:
Monday, October 11, 2010
Trying to start something.
I've looked to many venues to start my new foray into fashion blogging, I'm hoping this will prove the most user-friendly. I'm new to creating my own fashion blog, and although I do hope it will be the bulk of my endeavor I find right now my mind is wandering to other topics such as film, beauty, music, travel, and other things.
Let's just see where this road takes us.
All best,
Sophia
Let's just see where this road takes us.
All best,
Sophia
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