Alternative Sonshine

Sara Bareilles New Song "Beautiful Girl"

2011-07-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

Beautiful girl

[verse 1]
You wanna walk into the room like that other girl does
The one who’s always making everyone fall in love
You see
Girl, you are a lot like me

She rearranges all the light in the room so you’re always in the shadows
Well, that’s what it feels like to you
Baby, I’ve been there too

I know how much it can sometimes hurt
You feel like the whole world has made you the ugly girl
Take it from me that you have to see it first

[chorus]
So before you trade in your summer skin for those high heel shoes
To make him wanna be with you
Let me remind you one more time that
Just maybe you’re beautiful but you just can’t see
So why don’t you trust me
They’ll see it too, you beautiful girl, you…

[verse 2]
You wanna lay the blame on somebody else
All those tiny little minds that leave you up on a shelf
But okay
I’ve seen it done that way

Just in case nobody ever comes through
Riding in to come to your rescue
You still have a chance
You don’t have to be asked to dance

I know how much you’ve been dying to say
Look how much everybody loves me
Guess who gets left when everyone else fades away

[chorus]
So before you trade in your summer skin for those high heel shoes
To make him wanna be with you
Let me remind you one more time that
Just maybe you’re beautiful but you just can’t see
So why don’t you trust me
They’ll see it too, you beautiful girl, you…

Probably the best "learning to love yourself" song I've ever heard.
Thank you, Sara B.

daydreaming

2011-03-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

Why are plane tickets to the east coast so ridiculously expensive??

For that price... I'd go to Europe!

heritage

2011-03-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

My grandmother's little sister passed away a couple weeks ago. It was a shock because she was younger than my grandma. Who is still alive and (frail but) healthy.

Now that I've had time to process all the panic and emotion, I've been thinking a lot about my family. My parents, my grandparents, and relatives... Both sides of my family have a rich history of religious leadership and musicianship. My dad - pastor. My mom - music teacher. My grandpas - both pastors. I don't have cousins... but all the second cousins I know are songwriters or opera singers. Basically... I don't have very many relatives that are not pastors or musicians. I think I can actually count on one hand the ones that are not.

I always believed that I was different from my other family members. I did not pursue theology or music. I was "American" and an "individual". But it just hit me today... I married a man who is a musician AND a pastor. We've been married for four and a half years.

Huh. I guess it does matter where you come from.
And today, I am very thankful for my family... and all the rich crazy history it comes with.

What to Pack for Cabo. Really.

2010-08-05T10:53:00.001-07:00

We just got back from our first trip to Cabo San Lucas.

Some awesome friends we have asked us to join them on their annual trip. And since we'd never been there, but had always fantasized of going... (Me, for the sunshine, heat, and margaritas. Josh, for the surf breaks.) We happily happily said "YES!" before they even got the rest of the sentence out.

Being the obsessive little researcher that I am, I tried to look up some good packing lists on the internet before our trip, but I was sorely disappointed. Pesos, check. Swimsuit, check. Sunblock, obviously check. But not the real valuable kind of information a girl needs to pack her suitcase.

So here it is. Ariel's tips for packing for Cabo. (Or any Mexican resort town, really.)

What to take:
1. Sunblock. (Number ONE on my list! And it should be on yours too!!)
Loads of it. I emptied two half-full tubes while I was there. And it was only a five day trip.
(On a happy little side note, I am working on a formula for homemade sunblock for people with freakishly sensitive skin like me. Or for your babies. Or yourself if you would like to avoid cancer. Will post later.) A nice rich body lotion to put on at night will help with dryness.

2. A cute floppy straw hat and sunglasses.
Sunblock can only do so much. This will keep you from squinting or getting headaches from being out in the sun all day. I bought a cheap one that I could wear in the pool without having to worry about ruining it.

3. At least two swimsuits.
Rotating is nice for tan lines. It's also nice not to have to pull on a wet soggy suit in the morning.

4. Casual dresses.
This is all I wore. Maxi dresses, stretchy strapless dresses, swimsuit cover ups. Trust me, when it is hot and humid... the last thing you want to wear is jeans or any kind of tight clothing.

5. Lipbalm with SPF, and waterproof mascara. Face wipes and a good acne face wash.
That's about all you'll get on. You could wear a bit of mascara to look cute in pictures, but making it waterproof will give you the freedom to jump right into the pool at any time. The 2% salicylic acid face wash will keep you from breaking out from all the sunblock you've been diligently slathering on all day.

6. Bubble bath.
Most resort rooms have nice big soak tubs and I never pass up an opportunity to have a bubbly bath in a tub that I don't have to clean afterwards. Just remember to leave a nice tip at the end of your stay!

7. Books and magazines.
I didn't do a whole lot of reading while I was there... but these served to save my spot by the pool every morning.

8. Oh yeah. Almost forgot. Your passport.

What to ditch:
1. Hair styling. Yup. As a whole.
Ditch the blowdryers and irons, the gel, the mousse, the spray... Take a break from all that stuff for your trip. You're going to be wet, anyway, one way or another, and the humidity will make all your efforts absolutely pointless. A big clip to pull all your hair up and a few rubber bands to hold ponytails and braids will do. Maybe a good 2 in 1 shampoo to get the salt water and pool water out. (Yes, hotels provide that stuff... but if you're a picky girl like me...)

2. Heels.
I packed a pair and it was dumb. Comfy and cute flipflops is all I wore. One pair to keep dry for outings, and one rubber pair for the pool.

3. Work stuff.
My phone was on airplane mode the entire time. It was basically just an expensive alarm clock for five days. And that even only so I could wake up for the yoga class on the beach. Josh's laptop just served as a mini movie theater for about an hour and a half. If you can do without, leave it behind! Aren't you on vacation to get away from all that anyway?

That's all I can think of for now! I'll update later if I think of more~
xoxo!

New Favorite Website - "Forvo"

2010-08-03T11:05:00.001-07:00

I have a new favorite website called forvo.com. Ever wonder how to pronounce some impossible foreign word? (Or english word for that matter...)
Forvo is your new best friend.

For example, taekwondo.

Have fun!

Patriotic Nails

2010-07-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

So I probably should have posted this like three days ago... But better late than never!

To celebrate my first Independence Day as an actual American...

And no, I am so not rocking this today. I'm in a very office appropriate nudey beige right now.
Besides... nothing more tacky than day old holiday gear.

Sunny Disposition

2010-06-02T08:01:00.001-07:00

A cloudy day is no match for a sunny disposition.

We've had the worst weather lately. Trying not to be depressed about it! Because summer is a comin'.... even though looking out the window makes me doubt it.

Anyway, I'm always on the lookout for a good physical sunblock. Here are a few I've found that fall right in my very selective criteria. I know I wrote about sunblock around this time last year.... This may become an annual thing.

Cosmedix Reflect Natural SPF30 - Saw this at my esthetician's office.

Pratima Neem Rose and Neem Vetiver - This is the next one I'm going to buy. It contains a really high percentage of zinc oxide which is probably the safest and most stable mineral that reflects the widest range of UVA and UVB rays.

And the awesome California Baby line. Easy on your skin since it was created with babies in mind.

Since 80% of what is out there on the market doesn't work, it's important to do your homework! Which sunblock will you be entrusting your skin with this summer?

Nails of the Week

2010-05-17T15:03:00.000-07:00

My first manicure was a French.

I ditched school one morning on a Senioritis whim, stopped at McDonald's drive-thru for breakfast, pushed my car seat all the way back, and enjoyed the sunlight until the nail salon opened. Breakfast was a ritual for me those days. My friends always commented on the strange things I would eat for breakfast... so McDonald's was an unusually normal choice for me... but I like their processed sausage. Even if it does look like cardiac arrest in a wax paper wrapper.

I'd worked so hard for my grades all throughout my childhood years but that morning it felt so pointless and false. I used to think that my life was so complicated and confusing as a 18 year old... Sometimes I wish I could go back and give my young self a hug. Like, "Relax. It's going to turn out alright."

What is it about youth that always makes us look back on it all gooey-eyed?

Anyways.

I'd always wanted a French mani. Ever since 3rd grade when I read Claudia from "The Babysitter's Club" refer to it. (If you know exactly what I am talking about, cyber high five to you!)

Since then, I've probably had it done countless times. Especially in weird color combinations. These days the fashion authorities tend to frown upon the classic white French unless you're getting married. The perma-frenchie nails look tired and boring... old lady-ish and lacking creativity. Even worse in my book- French pedis. Blech.

But. In honor of the two weddings we're attending this week, I gave myself one. Glitterified.

What do you all think? Yay or nay? What are your thoughts on the classic French manicure?

Look the Look for Less

2010-04-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

I have been on the hunt for perfect nude colored shoes for about two years.

Why would something like this take two years??
Because.... a) I am cheap b) I am picky c) I am Asian and therefore have a different range of colors that would be considered "nude" and look flattering on me.

I thought I had found a pair of acceptable nude sandals in LA last spring, but after wearing it for about 1.5 hours realized that whatever positive qualities it had, I could not remember due to the five blisters it gave me... and every step was causing me to sin inside my head. Needless to say, I took them back to Nordstrom... and was disappointed by the fact that their awesome return policy does not apply to designer shoes. What???? I struck a bargain with the manager by exchanging them for a different pair of shoes, and walked out with an overpriced pair of shiny flip flops.

But those I wore about a hundred times since.... so I'm not too ticked off about that.

Anyway back to the shoes.
In an ideal world, I would like a pair of these:

But alas, they are unattainable. Unless someone wants to buy them for me and has an extra six hundred dollars burning a hole in their wallet.

That perfect rosy nude patent leather just makes me sick.
I hate you, Christian Louboutin. But I love you.

The nude colored heel is one of the best ways to elongate your legs. It is neutral. It is elegant. It is a classic. And it is the perfect last piece to a killer outfit.

Anyway, in my search for something like it... I found these. I'm not completely sold on the color of this one here... but the style is almost a twin to the famous Loubs. I decided to share so my lighter-skinned sisters could at least benefit!

I bring you the Nine West Escher Pump:

Jeans would look good with these. So would a simple LBD. Don't forget to paint your toes a classic color as well!

(pictures from barneys and endless.com)

Wanted: Peer Pressure

2010-02-15T08:46:00.000-08:00

Looking for a workout buddy in vancouver/portland area with a 24 hour fitness membership who is an early riser.

Celebration (Catch Up Post!)

2010-02-04T11:59:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I always forget to post the resolution of whatever projects I've been working on. So here they are - all together!

So I know most of you have already heard that I became a citizen last fall. Thought I would post one of the first pictures of me as an official American! Yep. I am a certificate holding citizen now~

I got my passport too- very soon after. (And a Coach passport holder that matches my wallet.... yeah, I know, but it was only like twenty bucks!)

I thought that one of the most American things to learn how to do to celebrate is.... Make Applepie!
Wonderful Sandi taught me how to make a old fashioned apple pie from scratch. Yummy~

And moving right along....

I did actually finish cleaning out and organizing our closets and dressers. And to prove that Josh actually owns more clothes than I do....
Here are all the jeans that he owns and uh... almost never wears.

And along with tons of other stuff that we never wear anymore.... I stuffed them all into my car trunk... dropped off a bunch of stuff at Plato's Closet, Spanky's, and Good Will.

I did save a few cute things for the girls at Youth Group though.

Okay. The end.

New Handbag Lining!

2010-01-14T09:33:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, I had a great bag that I loved. It was lightweight and it was brown with grommets and zippers and it was perfect. Not so expensive so I wouldn't feel guilty about putting it on the floor. Not so cheap that I hated it within a week.

One day, the lid of my Airborne container opened accidentally. Which, would have been fine if it was a cool winter day... but it wasn't. It was a hot sunny day. Next thing I knew, the entire lining of my bag was covered by melted Airborne goop. (I have never had an Airborne since. After seeing the goopy waxy substance that it becomes when melted... I have no desire to put that in my body any more. I'll take regular vitamins, thank you very much.)

Anyway, I took it to the cleaners. There was nothing they could do. I couldn't get myself to throw the bag away... so I cut the entire lining out of the bag with the thought that one day I would sew a new one in. What are the three R's again? Reduce, Reuse and... something. Recycle. Well I think this qualifies in the Reuse category. Gold star for me.

Uh yeah. It took me three years.

But I did it! Last night! I am so proud of myself.

I might have given myself arthritis from doing this:

Pulling a needle through leather is NOT FUN. But I stitched the whole thing without complaint. The thick yellow topstitch thread worked beautifully.

So I couldn't just have a regular brown lining... If I was going to spend three hours doing this, I was going to make the lining a pretty color.

With pretty pockets. That are big enough to fit all my (very necessary) junk. And a specially sized slot for my iphone!

What do you think??

Old but New

2010-01-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

In Korea, we get a year older, not on our birthdays but on New Years day. So on top of the fact that in Korea we are considered one when we are born (Someone pointed out that this is a pretty pro-life view... but anyway) I am now considered to be twenty-eight. yay. (Maybe this is why it never phases me or surprises me when my actual birthday comes along. I get all the shock early on...)

Anyway, New Years always makes me crave classics again. I'm not sure if this is related to the fact that I always feel old around this time of year... but these are times when the trendy in-the-moment "it" things just don't appeal to me. Instead I find myself looking at...
The perfect black knit top…
The perfect pair of classic blue jeans.

So here are a few things that make me smile these brand new fresh 2010 days~

Perfect black pumps. I'm on the hunt. These babies are ummm... WAY out of any reasonable budget but are probably the most classic and flattering (and painful) pair that money can buy.

A perfect Double Windsor-ed tie. Yummy.

I'm not sure if wearing a tie to work would be appropriate for girls these days, but we can definitely pull of a classic 'stolen-out-of-hubby's-closet' look like this:

And of course, perfect red lips. Hello glamorous 40's!

Does the new year have you looking for ways to freshen up your style as well?
xoxo.

"the Makeup Artist Lady"

2009-12-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

That's what the guy at the Nines Hotel concierge desk called me.

After making me guess whose name the room was reserved under (it took me four tries), he called the room to make sure they were expecting me.

"Yes, there is a makeup artist lady here to see you?" he says.

I am offended, on my way up the elevator, that he called me "lady".
Wow. I guess I've aged huh.

ANYWAY. Here is the beautiful bride. Isn't she a cutie?!!

Photos by: Clear Imagery (more pictures here!)

It was honestly such a fun privilege and honor to be able to do my friend's makeup for her wedding. (And hem her dress. And fix her bustle. And make her veil. And her hair clip. And do Shmoopy's makeup too. Yup yup I've been a busy body!) Thanks, Michelle, for trusting me with your big day glamourizing!

Fun shhtuff.

Recent Obsession

2009-12-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

I love soap.

I know most women prefer to use bodywash on a big fluffy pompom looking thing... and I've tried to like it too. But I'm Korean. I like to scrub the heck out of my skin with an exfoliating cloth until it hurts. I hate about 95% of the fragrances out there. And I hate that filmy residue that most bodywashes leave.

This is my newest obsession.
It's gentle. It leaves no residue, smells fresh and lathers like you wouldn't believe.

What do you love the most in your shower?

Destination

2009-12-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

Come see us!

Pretty Enough to Look at All Year

2009-11-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

I love letterpress. Sometimes I browse letterpress studios online and daydream about getting my very own personalized stationary that I would, no doubt, never use because the prospect of marking a perfect piece of paper terrifies me. But I’d be happy just staring at it. I love the deep pressed old world feel combined with modern motifs and calligraphy. It makes me happy. And yes, I will totally own up to my nerd status. I understand it takes a certain type of person to actually be in love with paper.

The only thing holding me back from going on a crazy paper shopping spree is the price. Letterpress, like most handmade one-by-one things in this world, costs a lot.

So my compromise: Purchasing letterpress calendars!

More often than not, they are priced competitively with other mass print calendars. But it will be a beautiful, unique piece of art to be displayed for a whole year. After the year is over, you can even cut off the calendar portion and use the rest like an art print as postcards, bookmarks… or even frame them for your wall.

Here are a few of my favorites this year:

From Pistachio Press: Available for purchase here.

From Paper Source: Purchase here

From Two Hands Design: Lookie here.

And if you’re madly creative, feeling ambitious, and uber super-hero diligent (it’s pretty tedious work I hear…), maybe even dare yourself to make your own with this!

They also make awesome holiday gifts!

US Citizenship Interview

2009-09-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

So I showed up at the USCIS building in Seattle early last Tuesday for my interview. It went really quick! The whole process took me less than an hour, including the security and sitting in the waiting room. The interview was about 10 minutes.

I was asked a whole range of questions - social security number, current address, how many times have I been married, have I ever pretended to be a citizen before, have I ever voted before... etc.

My interviewer asked me whether or not I had any outstanding taxes to pay. I replied, "Not that I know of" and she told me that she didn't like that answer so I clarified to a "no."

Then she gave me a piece of paper and asked me to read question number 1.

It said, "Who lives in the White House?"

Then on a second piece of paper, she asked me to write my answer.

Without even thinking I wrote, "Barack Obama."

When she read that, she actually smiled. (Man, if she isn't the nicest immigration officer I have ever met... uh, someone who actually smiles?!!) She told me that I was right but the correct answer they were looking for was "The President lives in the White House."

Oh.

So I quickly wrote that in below my answer.

The next questions were verbal and went by super quick. Who was the first President of the United States? Who is the governor of Washington? What is one thing you promise in the oath of allegiance? What movement tried to end racial discrimination? Name two federal holidays, etc.

Then she congratulated me on passing and told me when the next oath ceremony would take place. I signed a paper and then I was done!

My oath ceremony is tomorrow. As silly as it sounds, I'm actually worried about what I'm going to wear...

I don't know. Suit or dress?

A Little Bit of Magic - Fairy Drops Mascara

2009-09-09T09:46:00.000-07:00

I think I think I think...

I think I might have found my holy grail mascara.

Mascara has got to be one of the most addicting beauty items ever. A good one will instantly make you feel ready to take on the world with fluttering butterfly tipped femininity. But in a market where there are literally thousands to choose from it can be pretty overwhelming. I don't think I've met very many women who haven't been frustrated buying mascaras that promise you the world and a free HD tv but turn out to be less than exciting. Dud after dud after dud..

It's taken me a while to figure out what works for me. I have thick stubborn hair and I have to BEND it to my will in order to make it curl... and my lashes aren't any different. Eyelash curlers help but after about an hour, the darned little things start sticking straight out again like cactus thorns. Most frustrating is that most mascaras add to the problem. It was either sacrifice volume for curves or give up on curves for the volume. I was starting to get really pissed off at all of Maybelline's LIES. Diorshow was probably the best contender but $24 a pop is just too painful to hand over every 3 months. (And we're all told to throw out our mascaras every 3 months because bacteria likeys the dark moist enclosed tubes...)

Well yesterday at Uwajimaya (Waji's, for short) I found this little guy. Fairy Drops mascara.
It has the most interestingly shaped wand I've ever seen... like three marshmellows on a wire hanger toasting in a campfire. But it is amazing. I guess all those Japanese girlies have similar lash issues like moi.

The curl, the volume, the intense black color... I am in love. Price point is not bad either~

Find it: here

Sappy Sappy Me

2009-09-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

So out of some sentimental shmuck like blue, I started listening to the old Sandi Patty songs from my childhood in the south..... and yes, the eighties and nineties style producing is cheesy... and yes, I forget that I am not that conservative southern girl anymore... and yes, I can no longer even hum along to that lady's crazy high range... but dang it. It's beautiful.

There aren't very many songs with words like that anymore.

It's like we forgot how to have a heart.

Just for Fun: Americanization Test

2009-08-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

(Taking a break from posts about my closet until I am completely done with it… )

As you know, I have applied for citizenship, gone through the fingerprinting process for the Feds… and I have my interview on September 8th in Seattle!

Josh and I are planning to do an overnight trip up there since my appointment is at 8AM and I just don’t think I’ll be in my right mind if we got up at 3AM to drive up there on the day of.

There is just one question I’m afraid of on the Civics test. The thirteen original colonies. I swear I know them all and I’ve known them since fifth grade… but I always get confused after listing 11 or 12 of them. Which one did I leave out? Did I already say Connecticut? Shoot, gotta start over…

My coworker told me that I am probably better informed than some actual citizens he knows… but I’ve always been super competitive when it comes to tests. I have to ace them all. HAVE to. I love that feeling when you are so prepared the answers practically write themselves. Almost like your pen has a mind of its own. Adrenaline rush. Massive writer’s cramp from scribbling as fast as you can. Walking up to the front and slammin’ that paper on the podium and then out the door with triumph written across your face. Yeah, yeah, I know, I know. I’ve always been very comfortable with my nerd status so tease me all you want.

Anyway… just for fun, could YOU pass the Civics Test given to all citizenship applicants?

I just picked a few good ones from the booklet they gave me. Post your answers in the comments. AND NO GOOGLING. Pinky swear!

1. When was the Constitution written?
2. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
3. Who was the President during World War I?
4. Name one state that borders Canada. (har har har… just remembering a funny quote from our recent presidential election…)
5. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
6. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
7. Under the Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
8. What are two Cabinet-level positions?
9. Name your U.S. Representative? (I had to look this one up…)
10. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?
**Bonus question: Name the thirteen original colonies! (I so hope they ask me this one. It would be so anti-climactic if after all this stressing about not blanking out on this question, they never asked me…)

How’d you do?

****edit: If you want something harder... Take the American Civic Literacy test~

http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx

Update on the "Hunt"

2009-08-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I spent a few hours last night but haven't gotten very far!

The light in our walk-in went out so that didn't help. But I took my big laundry basket and started emptying out all of our dresser drawers. We have FOUR.

Here's the method to my madness.
1. Empty drawer into laundry basket.
2. Re-fold and put back the clothes that errr... still smell like Josh or me or laundry detergent. (As opposed to smelling like the dresser because it's lived in there for so long without seeing daylight.)
3. Take everything else and dump on the air mattress in the other room. (I still refuse to call it "nursery" like everyone calls it when they come over... I don't get how people can live in that kind of anticipation for something that isn't even in the works. I ain't that patient. Anticipation kills me. I'll start working myself up when I got the ace in the hole, ya know what I mean?)
4. Sort thru the GIGANTIC pile on the air mattress into categories:

Josh's categories:
- Nice teeshirts. Like the ones we actually paid money for.
- Not nice teeshirts. (You know, the ones that don't look appealing after just one wash and become so rough I could use the fabric as an exfoliator. Dude, we have a lot of these from ALL SORTS of places. One for each walk/run we've been on, GSPN shirts in every color... We even have matching Planning Center teeshirts from a worship conference we went to last year.)
- Cut offs. (Translation: Scraps of fabric that men wear when playing sports - basically as a wearable towel. They do not perform any of the normal purposes of clothing...)
- Dry-fit shirts
- Workout shorts of all kinds
- Sweaters and hoodies
- Jeans (most of which I have not seen on him for the majority of our marriage- because the ones I have seen on him were pre-screened in Step 2 above.)

I think I'll have him go through each pile and pick out things he wants to keep. The rest will go to consignment stores or Goodwill or a youth group kid if anyone is his size... Which is hard because most young boys don't have quite enough muscle mass to be Josh's size. Or if they do, they're like six feet tall. Which is a shame because Josh has some really nice clothes that he doesn't wear anymore.

Ariel's categories:
- 'Give away at youth group' bag. (Translation: cute, young clothes I got too fat for. You know, stuff with odd numbered sizes... I wear even numbered sizes now. No grown woman with curves should wear junior sizes. And yeah, I have to face the fact that I am no longer even close to the age range where that was permittable.)
- 'Try to sell' bag. (Nice stuff I don't wear that I think I can get $$ for)
- 'Dry cleaning' bag. (Stuff I forgot I had and would most definitely wear again)
- 'Oh wow' bag. Yeah, not even taking it to Goodwill kind of stuff.

Tonight I'll finish this up and hopefully sort out some things that are hanging in the closet as well. (When Josh fixes the light. I could do it.... but there are dead bugs in the light cover...)

Treasure Hunt!

2009-08-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

Our master bedroom closet looks a little bit like this right now. Actually, it might be worse. Add a dresser... and three hampers... and a pile of dry cleaning in various sized shopping bags.

I have been way too exhausted and lazy to do anything about it until now... but I finished my finals last night and I have a short summer vacation until fall term starts in September so... tonight is the night! I am going to flip our bedroom upside down in search for treasure.

Have you ever lost anything in your own closet before?

Good golly, it has been driving me nuts. I'm not used to this! Every morning, I think to myself, 'Now, I KNOW I have something that matches these pants... WHERE IS IT???!!!', and it makes my blood pressure spike.

I used to have a better idea of my stock of apparel. My closet used to be color coordinated. When we moved into our house, I thought I'd die of happiness because I had a walk-in closet that was big enough for me to sleep in. Without bending my knees.

I realized that... the mess was because we have been living in this house for a year and a half now. And that's when it hit me. I've never, in my adult life, lived in one place that long before! Back at home, my sisters and I shared closets. We were always moving things around and stealing stuff from each other and had mom to regulate. After moving out for college, I moved every time my lease was up. That's just how it is in LA. No one ever renews their lease. There is usually something that peeves you so bad you can't get out of there fast enough! (Crazy roommate, circling the block twenty minutes every night looking for parking, a MOUSE, loud neighbors, traffic, rent prices spiking... the list goes on...)

It got to a point where I was unusually happy at this one apartment, even though my roommates were still in art school and the whole place was completely littered with art supplies and fabric by the end of midterm. They were usually up until the crack of dawn toiling over their homework with music on to help them keep awake, and it didn't bother me one bit. Not a SINGLE BIT. I just sympathized. They always had to call me to wake me up so I could move my car. (Because in LA if you were lucky enough to have two parking spots, they were tandem. Yes. Tandem. Double parking. Underground mini capsules for your car. Whatever you wanna call it.)

If we lost our car keys in the piles of fabric and paper, the person on the inside would be stuck and late for class. If we fell asleep forgetting that the wrong person's car was parked on the outside, we would get woken up with a frantic call. That was just normal. It actually didn't bother me. I just accepted it. I loved my roommates. And these were the best living conditions I had in college.

But anyway, back to the point.
I moved a lot. So closet organizing just happened. By default. And I owned considerably less stuff. (I was a late late bloomer so I always had a shortage of things that fit... and have had significantly fewer years to build a wardrobe. Heck, I've only been the same size for about four years.) I never had to do a spring cleaning because everything I owned fit in a minivan.

So tonight is the night.
Tonight, I grow up. Tonight, I flip my closet.
It is umm... FALL cleaning.

Daunting? Yes.
I don't think I ever owned as much clothes as I do now. Plus, there's all of Josh's clothes - which I would like to point out is MORE than what I own. (And I will prove it tonight.)

I got mad plans for my clothes, yo. I will try to document as best I can and let you know how it goes!

Fall into a Grayscale

2009-08-13T15:06:00.000-07:00

Fall is the busiest season in fashion. Your September Vogues and Instyles are always three times the size of an average month's volume. Nordstrom's Anniversary sale is always built around fall staples. I can't think of a really good reason why... but people get ambitious as fall comes rolling by...

I know, I know. Summer's not over. September will be nice. But the gloomy weather we've been having the last few days is making me do it. Here are some key items that would make any wardrobe ready for the chilly weather in an easy-to-wear monochromatic color scheme. (Well, technically black and white aren't really colors. They're the lack of color... but that's also the reason why they look good on everyone, skin and hair color regardless.)

Gray Jeans - Totally versatile. Easy peasy chic. Grays do something magical to make color pop. I love pairing my gray jeans with a bright jewel toned sweater or t-shirt. Yellow looks fab with a light hued gray like this pair below. Pick a pair with a bit of spandex/lycra. The stretch in them will smooth over your legs and give you a flattering shape.

Black Riding Boots - Sleek black boots like these are a great way to add some kick to your basics. Yes, everyone owns a pair of black heeled boots... But low-heeled riding boots with simple to no adornments (like the pair below) add an edge that femininely shaped boots can't. Much more comfortable too!

The Classic Pencil Skirt - Pencil skirts are in this season like never before. Short ones, long ones, colorful ones, embellished ones, flowy ones, skin-tight leather ones... You name it. A basic gray pinstripe like this will be a reliable source of class for years to come.

Cropped Jackets - Pick one that comes down right to your waistline so your legs look impossibly long! This asymmetrical one beats the more classic types by creating flattering lines to slim your figure as well.

A twist on your basic shirt - If you're going to pick up a few basics, like t-shirts and sweaters, I would like to suggest that you select ones with a special quirk so that there is a bit of interest built in - even when worn alone.

People always ask me to help them shop... or give them a makeover. I'm not sure if they're serious... because I would TOTALLY do it and have a blast. I haven't been able to do anything with my stint in fashion design school or my experience in the world of clothes. But no one has ever really taken me up on it. They would always talk about this one show on TV...

Well, I recently watched a few episodes of that show, "What Not to Wear", while organizing my living room. Those two show hosts were so mean and condescending... I was kind of shocked! I hope those people asking me to help them weren't afraid that I would be that way too!!

So anyway, I hope this post comes across as politely as I am intending it to!

My Great Aunt

2009-07-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

So a few days ago, I got an email from Costco telling me that my photo account will expire soon unless I order a print. I hadn't really done much with it since I ordered copies of our wedding pictures (for relatives) from three years ago - so totally understandable.

So I spent $0.14 so I wouldn't lose all the pictures that were uploaded. We'll see if I ever go pick it up... but regardless...

While I was trying to decide which lucky photo I would get a 4X6 on, I saw this picture:

This is my great aunt. (If you read my post about my family and my thoughts on becoming American, you'll know that she raised my dad. So she's grandma to me. The only real relative I have from dad's side of the family. And she's been like ninety-six for about a decade now... Yup, she is that old. Josh swears that she looks exactly the same as she did in my baby pictures.)

Anyway, even though I never seem to do any of the things she wants me to... (like popping out babies asap... and moving back closer to home... and being a good wife-a.k.a. domestic goddess... which I'm not sure if I can learn to be if I had a million years...) she still thinks I'm the greatest thing ever. Grandparents are awesome.

The Amazing Boutwell Studio

2009-07-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Spare time is a rare thing to come by… but…

If you have some this afternoon, check out one of my favorite photographer’s blog.
http://cheninboutwell.com/

I visit from time to time and just gawk.

These are the kinds of pictures that are so amazing you clip them out of magazines to keep even though they’re on cheap newsprint paper and most likely don’t do the artwork justice at all. But still… you HAVE to have them. Yeah, that kind.

(Josh and I, if they'd been available for our wedding date, would have each given a kidney to have them take our pictures... but it was just not meant to be. Sigh.)

Jackson

2009-07-07T00:09:00.001-07:00

Meet Jackson.
Jackson is a black lab that lives at Josh's parents' house. Well, garage... to be exact.

Ten weeks old. And just about the sweetest thing there ever was.

Etiquette or Not?

2009-07-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

Inviting someone to a bridal shower without inviting them to the wedding?

Yay or nay?

One for One: TOMS Shoes

2009-07-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Usually I am unimpressed with various companies’ marketing strategies that give a certain percentage of proceeds towards a cause. I’m sorry… but I’m supposed to be happy that, out of the thirty bucks it cost someone to buy that lipstick, you’re sacrificing five of them towards breast cancer? I mean, really? Maybe some people are happy to buy into that kind of feel-good consumerism without doing the math… but I am not that girl. I want my money’s worth. How is that supposed to be any better than just giving five bucks towards breast cancer all by myself?

Anyway, when my coworker told me about TOMS Shoes, I was on the verge of the eye-ball rolling when she said the words, “give away another pair”.

What?

The TOMS Shoes website states that… “TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about.”

Now, that’s the kind of calculating I like to do!

Another cool thing is that you can even apply to go on one of these “Shoe Drop” trips and deliver shoes to children yourself! They are scheduling trips to Argentina and South Africa this year, and have a goal to give away 300,000 shoes in 2009.

The best part… aren’t they cute?!!

The Tiny TOMS are also super adorable. Any of you ladies invited to baby showers later this year? I know I am……

You can find out more about TOMS Shoes and their mission: here

Some Inspiration for Summer Barbecues

2009-06-29T13:32:00.000-07:00

Okay. So... we don't own a BBQ.

I know, I know... I am a disgrace to the nation of Korea and all its descendants. (But what's new?) Everyone knows I am a domestic failure on every account - except for grocery shopping - (I'm good at all kinds of shopping...) But anyway, mad props for all of our friends who are infinitely better at hosting, cooking, cleaning and especially decorating. (And extra heart xoxo brownie points to Rebecca and Dave who are inviting us over for their fireworks and BBQ this Saturday.)

One thing I will be bringing along to the BBQ that is, like, totally awesome is this Thai Mae Ploy Sweet Chili Sauce. Available at your friendly local asian grocery for a modest three bucks or so, this stuff just bleeds its awesomeness into whatever it is you're putting it into. I love pouring this on teriyaki chicken, any kind of chicken wings, salad, steamed vegetables... even tacos! But the totally drool worthy idea that popped into my brain this morning was Sweet Chili topped burgers!!!

mmmmmmm.....

Just add a nice thick slice of homemade dill pickle and wow. The tastebuds in my imagination are going wild.

School's Almost Out but.....

2009-05-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for the perfect schoolbus yellow nailpolish.

Not pearly, not glittery, not sheer.

I’m looking for straight up, opaque, shiny, 911 Turbo-in-a-bottle yellow.

Hope your hearts are filled with loads of summery sunshine today! Happy Friday!

In Case of Emergency...

2009-05-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Those rather alarming questions asking me what I would take to a deserted island… or what I would grab if my house caught on fire… I hate them. I lose sleep over these kinds of things. Then I wake up the next morning and serve myself a nice big breakfast of Tums and Maalox while mentally chewing on the two things that I finally decided upon at oh… three A.M.

My dad used to scare me by telling me (just completely out of the blue and for no apparent reason) that if something were to happen, the first thing I must grab is our box of legal documents. Passports, visas (don’t want to be deported…), and our collection of other ancient documents that we keep to prove that we are who we say we are. I think I get my randomness from him...

This is my dad. (Probably when he was about my age...)

And here is my great grandfather who, I am proud to say, was a freedom fighter during the Japanese occupation in Korea. (google it. way too traumatizing to write about here.) He survived that... but was kidnapped and killed by Communists during the Korean War. Having been a pastor and school principal, he had no chance of surviving. They did their best to eliminate all religious leaders and educators in order to gain control over the minds and hearts of the people. Strategic brainwashing. People in North Korea still to this day live in complete ignorance of what the world is really like outside its borders.

My great aunt whom I call grandmother on account of the fact that she raised my father after his parents were killed in the Korean War and also because she’s lived with us almost my entire life… and who has also been about age ninety-six for about a decade now… (It is a mystery. Her birth year was incorrectly recorded in the chaos of post-war defibrillator type efforts to found a new nation – kind of how a lot of Americans have funny last names because those hurried and insensitive men at Ellis Island couldn’t care less how you spell Stephanopoulos – plus the fact that they were on a lunar calendar back then and who knows how accurate that really was… We really don’t know how old she is. Every time I ask about it, I get a different answer.)

She's the one on the bottom right. And yes, I'm the toddler in pigtails leaning into my mama's skirt. (This is a picture of my mom's side of the family, btw, when me and my mom went to visit Korea for my grandpa's 60th birthday. You'll see my adopted uncle right next to my pretty mom. And her parents on either side of me. Sorry the picture is so tiny!)

Anyway, back to the story. My grandmother always lamented over lost sentimental artifacts back in their gorgeous home in North Korea that was (judging by her description) the size of a small village and was no doubt burned to the ground by evil Communists who were also responsible for the death of my grandfather – her baby brother. She has a few tattered pictures that she held on to all those long refugee years… And by those, perhaps… just maybe… I might even recognize my family when we all meet in heaven someday. She still shows them to me over and over again whenever I see her, and I listen to the stories I’ve heard a hundred times in silence. Because I too have a baby brother, and I know exactly what kind of anger-turned-bitterness-turned-sorrow-turned-determination I would burn from if someone were to hurt him.

Here he is. My grandfather. (top)

So there. Papers and pictures. That's what I would run around gathering if my house set on fire.

It’s strange to see how much this reveals a very un-American history of me. American families surviving war thought about bomb shelters and emergency kits. Can openers… I grew up reading stories about how they used to save sugar rations up for months in hopes of having enough for a birthday cake. I thought that was so neat. The importance of birthday cake. But I can’t relate.

I just applied for my citizenship a few weeks ago. It involved, surprisingly, much fewer sheets of paperwork than I'd thought it would take to start the process. Waiting for the next step, it got me thinking about what it is that makes this country so special.

Perhaps some of you have grandparents or great-grandparents who have told you stories of how and why your family first came to America. Some may have fascinating stories that could be the written into history books and movies. Stories of hope and courage... Josh and I recently went to a Titanic exhibition and there were plaques on the wall telling stories of brave people journeying to start a new life here.

I have been thinking about what it is that makes us "American". Maybe it isn't something that can be summed into the items you would pack if you had to run for it. Or what it says on our passports and birth certificates.

Maybe it isn't something that can be categorized into which other parts of the world we came from. Maybe it's just the fact that we came. That our families... we chose to come.

These stories fascinate me so much. If your family has an "American" story, please do share!!

I Don't Wanna Be PINK - Part 2

2009-05-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know I just posted a really painfully long entry about sunblock but I forgot to mention why it's so important!

http://www.newsweek.com/id/33384

84% of the stuff you put on.... doesn't work.

Do your homework! And make sure you're not being duped by cosmetic companies who are known for making crazy and unfounded claims.

You don't get a second chance on your skin...

I Don't Wanna Be Pink...

2009-05-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

Hello, Sunshine!

My coworkers tempted me into taking a break outside the other day to get some sun. It was definitely the most peaceful five minutes of my day… with the sun warming my back and neck. That heat lamp feeling I’ve been craving for so long.

And then I had a mini panic attack worrying about how I was not wearing sunblock anywhere except for my face.

Yes, gentle people of the lovely lush green Northwest… It is time.

Time to be realistic here. We all must admit, no matter how much bronzer we rub over our face… we haven’t seen much of the mighty sun for a while now. And you have to admit… we all do a certain amount of romanticizing summer – complete with this unfounded fantasy about being perfectly bronzed a few days into the better weather – but all this is because we were deprived for the past eight months and we really don’t know what we’re talking about.

Perfectly bronzed the first nice day out?

Uhhh…. More like PINK! (Most of you know, I am not very fond of pink in general... but it's even worse if it's my face that's pink!) And then PEELING!

I don’t know about y’all… but personally, I’d rather be one shade of pale than five varying shades of splotchy pain! So let’s be smart now.

Here are some really good sunblocks worth investing in:

I have really sensitive skin. It don’t like chemicals. It don’t like fragrances. Here’s what I’m planning to go out and buy this year:

California Baby has a line of fragrance free sunblock that won't irritate your skin. Safe enough for infants! And the Sunblock Stick is just way too convenient. Leaves lots of room in your purse and absolutely no room for excuses! You can find Cali Baby at Target!

Okay, now if there’s anyone who knows a lot about sun protection… it’s a surfer.

Please don't be offended by what this brand is called. I have no idea why they named it that because I've never even seen an ad, let alone a scandalous one, by this company... but they make good wax for surfboards and also are one of the very few companies that make sunblock using zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is very stable and very safe (it's been around since the time of the Ancient Greeks and the Olympics, etc. ) and is one of the few ingredients that block both UVA and UVB rays! This stuff is waterproof and perfect for your wild watersport days.

Sexwax Z-Cote Protection Creme. You can find this at local surf shops and online. I especially appreciate the little tin can container. Easy to toss in every beach bag you own! And easy to grab just enough product with your fingers and layer on sensitive areas like your nose and cheekbones. Don't forget those ears!

Another gentle sunblock for face and body:

Skinceuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 30. This brand is mostly available at skincare clinics and doctor offices, but I've been able to find this online as well. (I heart froogle.) This formula is smooth and easy to apply. No sticky white goo! (-which is one of the lamest excuses people come up with for not wearing sunblock... I mean, really? Biopsies and lab tests and getting your skin cancer carved out with a knife... yucky antibiotics... and then bi-yearly exams where the doctor looks at your entire naked body with a magnifying glass... is preferable to some sticky cream that could prevent it all?? I don't get it.)

Okay I'll stop here.

But if any of you would like additional information about sunblock (and the difference between sunblock and sunscreen… and the fruits of a research paper I wrote about back in the day on all this… and which active ingredients do what… why I recommend physical blockers as opposed to chemical absorbers… and have the bonus of getting nagged at for half an hour for not wearing sunblock enough… complete with several stories of people I know who suffered from skin cancer… ), you need only mention it!

I’m practically bouncing off the walls with energy today! The sun makes me so happy!

And today, I'm ready for it. Because I remembered to slather on the SPF before setting off to work!

Summer-happy Feet in Sanüks~!

2009-05-08T16:16:00.000-07:00

Josh and I are both in love with our Sanüks. These are the ultimate surfer “non-shoe” shoes. (Surfers are typically perfectly happy to be barefoot all day long… except for when the burning hot black asphalt gives them blisters on their walk back to their cars! Believe it or not, this has happened to poor Josh multiple times!) Enter feet saving Sanüks~

We both have multiple pairs and they are by far the most comfortable things we put on our feet. It’s almost better than being barefoot!

These make awesome gifts because the price point is very reasonable and they make people happy. No joke~ because “Sanük” is the Thai word for happiness. I’ve recently converted a few of my friends who literally danced for joy because their feet were so happy. (Hi, Carrie!) – which inspired me to share this with all of you lovely people.

We have some of these:

Sanük Sidewalk Surfers (which come in multiple colors. I have them in pink!)

And my recent LOVE:

Sanük Ibiza Sandal (which feels like I’m walking on jello!)

Boy, I’m ready for summer now. What are some of your favorite summer shoes?

In 140 Characters or Less

2009-05-06T12:48:00.000-07:00

Without actually giving myself time to figure out the exact hows and whys and to what extents... I just went and did it.

I joined Twitter.

Now before I figure out that this was actually not a very good idea and what on earth was I thinking and oh wow this Awesome Nut & Chew Bar from See's is really yummy but is totally negating the whole purpose of my eating that nasty Lean Cuisine microwave lunch today... chew slowly... relish it...

What was I saying?

Oh yeah. I promise to keep my tweets as far away from the mundane and as close to the tasteful and absurd little joys of living in the Portland area and my unstoppable bargain shopper-ing as possible.

If I were in a movie...

2009-04-30T13:17:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, I like to imagine myself in a movie scene.
I like to think about what I would say if I were in the character's shoes. haha.

Like, if I were to be asked what my vice was:

Beautiful Cannon Beach

2009-04-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

Every year, the ladies at our church have the amazing privilege to spend a weekend here:

The Oregon coast is unlike all the beaches I am used to in SoCal. And I'm not just talking about the climate... The beauty of it is that it is relatively untouched and clean. I imagine it still looks pretty much the way God intended it to look in The Beginning. Cold, crisp and painfully beautiful. Walking around on the beach makes you feel like you're in a movie scene à la "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". (as opposed to Cali beaches that feel more like Baywatch, but updated.)

Roomies! I've made it a point to try and room with different people each year - as an effort to get to know them better. I can't think of very many better things you can do to get personal than sharing a bathroom at an all girls retreat.

And after looking at these photos, I started researching big bad cameras - again.

I'm trying to be a good girl and wait... until I actually had something good to take pictures of... (i.e. kids, grand travel plans...) But I hate waiting! I would just LOVE to have a camera that weighs ten pounds, takes pictures at the exact moment I push the button, makes those cool clicky sounds... and produces results like these!

Weekend in Nashville

2009-04-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy month! March just disappeared somehow....

Clearly, life is on one of those fast flying sprees with an 'I'm-not-waiting-for-ya' type of attitude so I am learning that I'm just going to have to pick up my pace to keep up!

March was madness for sure. Six of us had the opportunity to visit Nashville to attend a Beth Moore conference for Minister's Wives! (It was amazing...)

and the church was conveniently located right across the freeway from this:

We all had a blast! (Yes, minister's wives know how to have fun.)

I also visited this place because I'm such a good wifey:

You girls know how we dream about big beautiful closets with a wall dedicated just for shoes? If Josh had a dream closet, it'd look like this:

Have any of y'all visited the Music City??

Give the Gift of YUMMY!

2009-03-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

One of Portland's own little treasures:

Recently, I gave this as a gift to my lovely cousin. She loved it! Moonstruck is based in Portland, Oregon and is pretty rare out of state. I had never heard of it until we moved up here a couple years ago...

I know, and I apologize, that I may sometimes be a total big city snob. I don't think that I realize I'm doing it until much much later. It was definitely a transition moving away from home where I had easy access to all the things that I love and more. There were a lot of things that I had taken for granted... that I have learned to live without since moving here. I think the culture shock that I experienced can be summed up to the first time I tried to look up the nearest Banana Republic to Camas. (I have to cross state borders???) That just boggled my mind. And I've learned that it boggles the minds of natives that such a stupid thing would boggle mine. (I am sorry. My ignorance is just absolutely disgusting, I know... Forgive me!)

Despite my superficial bewilderment, I have discovered quite a few things that are unique to the Portland metro area that are absolutely charming! It was just a matter of deciding not to look for things that aren't there... and focus on what IS available! Now I have a whole list of newly formed habits that I would sorely sorely miss if we were ever to move away. (No plans to do so... so hold your horses!)

One tiny piece of that is Moonstruck. I've always been kind of a chocolate snob. Hersheys is gross and I have no idea why people make such a big deal about Ghiradelli's overly sweet and redundant flavors. Godiva's overpriced and mediocre... See's is okay once in a while. My favorite always was (no joke) Ikea's chocolate. Now that first place spot has totally been stolen by Moonstruck. Decadent, creamy and just the right blend of ingredients. There is literally something for everyone! Even chile flavored chocolate for the true chocolate tradition seekers. (Ancient Mayans used to mix the two ingredients, I believe...)

Now when I go visit my folks in California, I always pack a few bars of Moonstruck to share with friends. They all love it!

A bit pricey...
but that helps with the umm... self control.

Becoming a Citizen!

2009-03-10T16:07:00.000-07:00

Next month, everyone…

I am applying to become a citizen of the United States.

Because I wasn’t born here, I am what they call a foreign national… or resident alien. I was also, at one time, called a non-resident alien and a temporary resident alien as well. All us “aliens”… we all get to stand in a different line when entering the country.

It's been hard... and sometimes really disappointing to have lived here for the majority of my life without the rights and protection that people born here have. I've been told many hurtful things because of the simple fact that my family decided to move here much later than most American families. (Let's face it, if your family doesn't live on a reservation... uhhhh... we're in the same boat.) It's been really amusing to watch people's faces when I tell them that I actually consider myself an American.

Receiving my little flag and American passport will feel like finally being recognized as a human being (ET phone home!) for the first time. I am planning to blog about my experience from application to oath so keep in tune~

^_^

Top Five Eyeshadows!

2009-03-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

Per Priscila’s request! Here’s what I think about eyeshadow.

I normally don’t wear a lot of eyeshadow. Some girls are like master blenders and always have this cool ombré thing going… and aren’t afraid of color… but I am. I end up looking like Smeagol. So I opt for the natural looking shades with lots of pigment (so that I won’t have to wear a lot of it and look like someone shaved a box of chalk on me). A good eyeshadow will have a very fine and smooth consistency and actually look like the color it is in the case.

Buying eyeshadow as a gift is a bit trickier than lipgloss. You’ve got to know the recipient pretty well and not be intimidated by the zillions of colors set before you. Some like the barely there look while others consider makeup something that should be fun and explored. Here are some safe bets for both:

1. MAC Eyeshadow - $14.50
- Wildly popular, lots of pigment and an amazing selection of colors. If you like dramatic eyes, MAC will definitely make you happy. They blend like a dream and fall in the cheaper price range for department store brands. Lots and lots of professional makeup artists love these shadows, and for good reason!

2. Stila Eyeshadow - $18.00
- Available online, at Sephora, and now even at Costco (!), Stila is a fun and cute cosmetics brand. Their eyeshadow in “kitten” has a cult following. It is a perfect neutral champagne colored shimmer that looks flattering on everyone. So so popular, you can even find them on ebay.

3. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadows - $20.00
- Nobody does neutrals like Bobbi. She’s got the most beiges and nudes and browns out of all the brands out there. Natural makeup is her specialty. Shimmer Wash shadows have a tiny bit of sheer sparkle that is perfect for everyday. She also carries mattes, metallics and other textures as well. Best part is her new custom palette system. You can get a 3, 4, or 6 mirrored pan palette for ten bucks and fill them with your essential shadows, blushes and even lippies! Great for girls who travel or love to organize.

4. Clarins Single Eyeshadow - $20.00
- Being mainly a skincare company, Clarins doesn’t have a wide range of colors… but the colors they do have tend to be flattering on all skintones. I have this in ‘perfect plum’ and I love it! It’s my one dramatic eyeshadow that doesn’t make me look like someone beat me up. (Great for brown eyes!)

5. Laura Mercier Metallic Crème Eye Colour - $22.00
- For those of you who love to use your fingers, I present this amazing crème eyeshadow. Use the tiniest amount of product and rub it over your eyelids. This creates a smoldering pearly layer of color that stays put! Waterproof and extremely lightweight, you’ll forget you even had anything on. Works great as a base color as well. ‘Platinum’ and ‘Rose Gold’ are my faves~

Because I don’t like to wear a lot of eyeshadow, I tend to pick department store brands over the drugstore ones. Drugstore eyeshadows have definitely come a long way, but still do not offer as much pigment as I like. Less pigment just means you have to use more product which is too much work for me. Staying power is also an issue. But I’ll keep you guys posted if I happen to find a good one that rivals the ones above! (I’ve heard that L’Oreal HIP and Physician’s Formula is pretty darn good though!)

What is your favorite eyeshadow?

This one's for the girls~

2009-03-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

Sorry, there was a girl who sang that song on Idol last night and it was bad... but she certainly got the song stuck in my head....

ANYWAY.

Buying a girl a present can be pretty sweet and easy. More than I can say about boys… (How many wallets can you buy a man anyway?) But we girls like simple things, little things… and we like having LOTS of them! So shopping for us can be quite an enjoyable experience.

Can I just say something totally random?

I am so sick of bath & body works. I know it’s like the default place people go to buy gifts for girls but… I’m over it and I think a lot of people feel the same way. I think it was cool for about a year in 10th grade. Now their lotions make me itchy and their fragrances give me headaches. Whenever someone buys me something from there, I go back and exchange it all for antibacterial hand soap with a lemon-scent (probably the only scent actually occurring in nature from their entire store). (And Fekkai glossing cream… but that’s another story…)

Anyway, for girly gifts in the future…
here are my top five lipglosses of the moment.
(Of which, I sadly own none of right now because I have promised myself to not buy lip gloss until I have totally run out. But I haven't forbidden myself to talk about them so here goes... )

1. Make Up Forever Super Lipgloss - $16.00

- This was the first lipgloss I ever pined for. I was in 7th grade and I saw it in a Korean magazine. It was way too expensive but I always put some on every time we passed by a counter.
(Make Up Forever didn’t come to the US until much later I think… It’s quite popular at Sephora now.)

2. Bobbi Brown Lipgloss - $20.00

- These tiny little tubes of shimmering color are so pretty I can't ever buy one. I couldn’t ever pick just one. So I just walk away frustrated...

3. Kiehl’s Lipgloss - $14.50

- I think this may be Kiehl’s only color product; their focus being mainly skincare. It appropriately contains lots of good-for-you ingredients like grape seed and mango extract. The colors are all gorgeous and I want one of each! The best part is that it is not sticky!

4. MAC Lipglass - $14.00

- Out of all the brands out there, MAC probably has the most variety when it comes to lipgloss. And they have quite the obsessed group of followers. Lipglass is potent and stays on better than most lipglosses… Its popularity among MAC fans probably comes second only to the limited edition dazzleglasses.

5. Chanel Aqualumière Gloss - $27.00

- There’s nothing like a tiny Chanel compact to make you feel like a lady. Despite the outrageous price, I decided to post about this high shine gloss for one reason. It’s just really good! Lots of color without the gooey mess that makes your hair stick to your face.

Puppy Love!

2009-02-27T10:13:00.000-08:00

My friends are getting a puppy...

And I am out of my mind jealous!!

Snuggles or Snugs or Nug Nug or Snuggie (yes, just like those hideous blankets with holes they sell on TV that make you look like a nun... or the KKK...) is a half Shitzu and half Daschund.

They're picking her up tomorrow!!

One More Picture...

2009-02-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

One more picture from LA:

Mindy (on the left) is a friend from Otis College of Art & Design. We lived together (as roommates) and died together (pulling all-nighters doing homework). Angela (on the right) is a friend I met at a Korean dance studio. (yes yes I can fan dance)

I'm begging them to come for a visit.

This is random but... I have a pointy chin. It could quite possibly be used as a weapon... (according to Josh anyway)

Goodbye baby-fat

2009-02-20T13:38:00.000-08:00

This was us two and a half years ago in Hawaii for our honeymoon.

Look at those baby fatty chubby cheeks! What happened to 'em?

Weekend in LA

2009-02-20T11:15:00.000-08:00

Some pictures from Josh's Birthday weekend in LA:

Dennis & Josh: Buddies from Life Bible College

Eating his favorite stuff: MEAT!

The girls: Jessica, Reejay & me

Facebook's New Privacy Rules

2009-02-18T09:16:00.000-08:00

Facebook now owns all of the content you upload. Even after you delete it.

Just a tad bit TOO SCARY.

Read about it here

Seasonal Affective Disorder

2009-02-17T15:45:00.000-08:00

When I first heard about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), I think I wrote it off as one of those hokey fake diseases that people make up as an excuse for their various problems. (I have a cousin who’s a doctor who rolls her eyes at these various diseases so perhaps the skepticism rubbed off on me…)

And then we moved to the Northwest.

At first, I thought I was sick. Then, I thought I had developed allergies. Then, that didn’t seem right so I started to think I was experiencing a mild case of depression. Being drowsy and overly tired for no apparent reason for months on end… it was slowly driving me crazy. Until this one day, one random day, that one break you get in between months of gloomy gray winter, the sun came out! (All you NW people know what I’m talking about.)

And I was BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS.

I had energy. I was awake. I was cracking jokes. I accomplished a whole list of things on my to-do list. In fact, I didn’t have enough to do!

That’s when I realized what had been going on.

I love my home here in Southwest Washington. It is SO beautiful here in the green, green, Narnia-like landscape with regal Mount Hood watching over us. But the four seasons (winter, still winter, even still winter, and summer) kill me. Or, actually… more specifically, it puts me to sleep.

So what? Man up and drink some coffee, right?
Nope. Doesn't help.
I am largely unaffected by caffeine, sugar, alcohol, pain killers, and anesthetics unless they come in some obscenely large doses. (I hate going to the dentist for this reason exactly. Oh, you should be nice and numb by now. Can you feel this? poke poke. AGHHHH!!!! YES!!!!)
I'm the girl that can drink ten shots of espresso and go straight to sleep, wake up, go to the bathroom, and fall right back asleep, wake up, eat breakfast, go right on back to sleep... so on and so forth.

I know I'm not alone in this whole drowsy winter blues syndrome. Especially all you transplants out there like me... This is for you.
Here’s what helps me to cope:

An angel gave it to me a few months ago. I have it on my bathroom counter and I use it while I brush my teeth and get ready for work every morning. I am no longer a drowsy driver on my morning commute. My lovely Go Lite.

Available here

(It'd make a nice gift for people moving up to the Northwest from sunny climates, don't you think?)

On a side note here... SAD is probably one of the biggest reasons I decided to start this blog. (hence the name y'all..) xoxo.

Wedding Gifts...

2009-02-16T11:18:00.000-08:00

I am at that age.

The age where friends are slowly (or not so slowly) getting hitched!

Having (surprisingly) been the FIRST of all my friends to get married, I am beyond excited. I may just have to embark on a second career as wedding planner just to burn off some enthusiasm. Or maybe just once as a bridesmaid would do the trick! (I have never been.)

Apart from all the necessary things that go on various gift registries for the couples... here are some meaningful gifts for the ones that are dear to your heart. (FYI, these are all items that I made myself for my own trip down the aisle. Tutorials available upon request.)

1. A handmade veil.
- Anything handmade is meaningful... but a veil has some serious sentimental tear-inducing power. They are also relatively easy to make. A bit of google-ing, a trip to your friendly local fabric store, and a few hours going cross-eyed is about all it takes!

2. A ring pillow.
- Project number one on almost every sewing course out there is some sort of a pillowcase - for a reason. It's short, square, and super easy. (Alliteration, y'all. Josh would be proud.) Choose a vintage lace or silk to make it special and oh so haute couture.

3. A colorful garter.
- A little bit of elastic and the girliest piece of lace you can find is just enough to embarrass any bachelor who is lucky enough to catch it. (Or have it flung directly to them with perfect aim.) Tuck that inside that blender you bought for the shower.

4. A card.
- I hate that the words "It's the thought that counts." have become nothing more than an excuse for people who are lazy. Sure, I loved the gifts I received when I was getting married. I am thankful for all the cups and dishes and giftcards so I can buy more cups and dishes... (Can a girl ever have enough? We may never know.) But nothing is more beautiful to me than a handwritten card with actual substance to it. Some thought. More than just the usual congratulations, cute bible verse and three steps to being a good wife. More than just your pretty signature. (Please... Are you trying to tell me that Hallmark is your new spokesperson?...) I'm talking about a heartfelt, wishing you well, and I will be here for you type of sincerity. That's better than the white crate&barrel boxes that get us all excited. Am I right or am I right?

On that note, beautiful custom stationary with the bride's new name on it is also a very thoughtful gift. And if you've got the bucks... l.e.t.t.e.r.p.r.e.s.s. yum.

Talented

2009-02-16T09:23:00.000-08:00

I have a talent. My mother, my friends (especially from college) and my husband can all attest to the fact that I have the distinct ability to unknowingly locate the most expensive item in any given store. Even the dollar store.

Ever since discovering this gift, I make it a point to shop exclusively from sale sections. I am the girl that squints her eyes and walks straight to the back of the store without giving anything else as much as a glance. This gift is potent. And dangerous.

So yesterday, a few friends and Josh and I went to Meadows for some Sunday night snowboarding. (I am wishing, at this very moment, that I could have one of those computer keyboards that I can control by blinking, because blinking is about the only action my body can currently do without pain.) I wanted to buy a "turtle" and Josh was looking for a helmet so we decided to go into the store. Everything in the store was 50% off. Nice, right?

So after picking out my ten dollar yellow-polka-dotted turtle, I decided to browse a little while waiting for Josh to pick out his helmet. A white down jacket caught my eye. It looked a little like this picture I found on ebay...

Guess how much it was.

Take a wild guess

...

..

.

Wilder

...

..

.

It was an Authier jacket priced at $1,550.00

No joke

(Well, I guess with the 50% off, it would be $775.00)

PS. I googled Authier this morning. Stinkin' Italians...

Los Angeles : Where to Eat – Tahoe Galbi

2009-02-13T10:26:00.000-08:00

All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ is famous in LA. Even people from the motherland know about it. (Don’t get me wrong: food is amazing in Korea. But the portions are traditionally smaller than what an American would be used to. There is no such thing as super size.) Such a thing as a Korean meat buffet could only be the product of the wondrous composite creature that Los Angeles is.

Galbi (or Kalbi) to a Korean BBQ place is like what filet mignon is to a steakhouse. Special occasion food. The substance of your dreams when you’re on a diet. The most expensive thing on the menu. It is the succulent meat attached to the ribs, marinated, and then grilled on a table-top mini-grill right before your eyes. It is served with, oh, half a dozen side dishes like pickles and potato salad, and a lettuce & green onion salad.

Here’s how to eat it: Pick up a piece of meat off the grill (safest with your chopsticks, but they’ll provide forks too. and tongs for that matter), dip it in sauce, place it on top of your salad. Then, pick up a piece of the rice paper (sticky white stuff cut into squares), put it on top of the meat, and then using you chopsticks… roll the meat and some salad all together like a mini burrito.

(Okay, did I lose you yet?)

Meat straight into mouth using fingers works too. :)

Tahoe Galbi: 3986 Wilshire Blvd

Of all the places in LA that serves all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, this is the place I would recommend to all y’all planning to navigate your way there without a native.

One, this place is the easiest to find. Located right at the intersection of Wilshire and Wilton and complete with valet parking – it will save you multiple U-turns, fifteen minutes searching for street parking, and other frustrations that come with the whole ’lost in Koreatown’ territory.

Two, unlike many hole-in-the-wall treasures, this place is clean and nice. (Translation: the kind of bathrooms you’re not afraid to use…)

Three, it’s all about the Galbi. Koreans love both marinated and un-marinated meat but I’ve found that most non-Koreans just care for the marinated. Unless you grew up wishing that they would make such a thing as unsalted bacon… stick with the marinated stuff. Comes to about $18 per person. My advice is… go when you’re starving. And take me with you.

[pictures are all from yelp.com!]

Los Angeles: Where to Eat - House of Pies

2009-02-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

I hate visiting a new town I don't know very well... and then having dinner at Olive Garden because I have no idea where to go. Sure, I love Olive Garden on a normal day but sometimes it just feels so... sterile. Too safe. What's the point of traveling if you don't get to have good local food knowing that your pepto bismol is safely packed in your luggage? You gotta be brave to enjoy life.

Any of you who have asked me about LA know this. It's all about the food. I plan our trips down home around the food we are planning to eat. The itinerary is pretty much a list of restaurants. No joke.

So I thought, since LA & OC is such a hot vacay spot for Northwest peeps, I'd pool a series of my favorite places that you gotta know to go. Mostly, it'll be food. Food and shopping. (Hi! Have we met?)

House of Pies: 1869 N. Vermont Ave.

House of Pies is well known among Angelenos. Super diverse crowd and open around the clock. Nothing to be afraid of... just give the homeless guy on the corner a dollar, say 'God bless you' and hop on inside. Trust me, it's okay. I lived in LA eight years hanging out at the shay-deeee-est places and never witnessed a crime. I've never even witnessed a car accident- believe it or not.

House of Pies is full of sleep-deprived, delirious midnight memories for me. This was where we would go if we wanted a midnight snack and a nice long outbursts of laughter over old stories. The waitresses aren't pushy - they're in no rush. It's open all day anyway. Fast refills and the BEST chicken wings on the planet. I promise. Pies are, of course, amazing too.

Now. Anyone know any gooooood joints in Nashville?

I heart books

2009-02-11T09:02:00.000-08:00

I've always loved books. I blame my negative six vision on them... but I can't live without them. They were always faithful friends to me when I had none elsewhere. Books are truly the best escape.

I realize that giving books as a gift can be a difficult task. You always worry that the recipient may already own it or.. you are hesitant to suggest a book because you don't want them to feel that you are passing judgement on them. (For example, buying someone a book about healthy eating might be taken as a comment on their weight... or is that just me? I worry about this kind of thing all the time... I bet boys don't. Girls read too much into everything...)

Anyway, here are some safe suggestions that have passed my above mentioned scrutiny. I also happen to really love them... (and you can ask my husband about how picky I am about books if you are wondering if you can trust my judgement.)

1. The infamous "Blue like Jazz". There was a ton of buzz about this book when it first came out because of how incredibly frank and transparent Don Miller's writing is. He is not afraid to say things that most Christians are afraid to say or even think about. Which is what I loved about it. I was destined to know the Lord ever since I was a tiny freckle stuck on my mother's womb... My family is one of the oldest Christian families in Korea. My spiritual roots run deep and I've simultaneously loved and resented that heritage my whole life. Reading this book was refreshing. It felt like Don Miller was putting names to all my unnamed frustrations. It was like scratching that infuriatingly elusive itch that you can't ever seem to locate. Recommended for both the bewildered newbie Christian or old-timers like me.

2. "Once Again to Zelda". I'm actually not done reading this. This is a GREAT bathroom book. (Some of you may be grossed out at the thought but frankly, what else is there to do in the bathroom? I don’t like to stare at tiles.) This book is about famous authors and the people they dedicated their famous books to. The back stories. I recently gifted this to a writer (my favorite cousin) so she won’t forget me when she finishes her masterpiece and becomes rich and famous. I’d die of happiness if she mentioned me on that precious first page of that book. I would also like to be the main actress if her story ever becomes a movie. *hee hee*

3. "The Bean Trees". I love Barbara Kingsolver. I LOVE her. I would love to be a writer someday but even my best efforts would look like child’s play next to her excruciatingly beautiful words. She writes appallingly amazing novels. The kind of stories that don’t need sugar coating and cheesy happy endings (like mine do). Our grandchildren may just be studying her novels in their senior honors English classes in the future. Some of her other works include: “The Poisonwood Bible”, “Pigs in Heaven” and “The Prodigal Summer”.

Gifts for People Who Have Everything

2009-02-04T15:57:00.000-08:00

You know who I'm talking about. There's always someone you need to shop for who. has. it. all.

So I've decided that everytime I think of a great gift for those people, I'll post it here and hopefully create a nice fat bank of ideas to look back on when I'm stumped.

Today's entry: Marble Solitaire

This game is absolutely one of the best, addiction-forming, obsession-inducing, time-suckage-monsters I've ever come across. It is best for friends who like to do the noodle dance.

*ehem* My birthday is in June.... if any of you were wondering... *cough* *cough*

^_^

Help me pick!

2009-01-27T09:20:00.000-08:00

Help me pick a paint color!

I am absolutely petrified at the thought of having to pick paint colors. I picked two so far and they were both awful. Absolutely dreadful. My downstairs bathroom feels like there's a sudden arctic chill running up my spine every time I go in there. My husband thinks it looks like mint icecream. Ugh. Quite obviously, beach themed colors don't work well in the Northwest.

Anyway, I'm looking for a really pretty RED for my kitchen. I have white tile countertops and buttery wheat colored natural wooden cabinets, if that helps.

I think I'm going to take the advice of all the ladies-in-the-know and go with Devine Colors. Something about not having to do eighty billion coats REALLY appeals to me.

So please leave me a comment with which red y'all think I should go with! Cayenne! Paprika! Sangria! Whatever! (making me hungry...)

Thanks!!

Resolution

2009-01-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

I hate new years resolutions. I never follow through. I've found it extremely difficult to change my behavior in various activities just because of a date on the calendar.

But.

There are a few things that I've decided to do rather recently. Might as well call them what they are:

1. Pay off the credit card. Which, unfortunately, also includes saying goodbye to Nordstrom and talking Josh out of buying obscenely expensive metal boxes to STEP on. (aka guitar pedals)

2. Abs. I’m not looking for crazy muscle definition or anything. I just want to stop hating that part of my body.

3. Red kitchen walls. I can do this. Even if it takes me the whole year.

(Picture from http://ths.gardenweb.com)

4. Not to rip off Paper Source or anything… but, do something creative every day. (Okay fine, every week.)

Have you made any new resolutions for 2009??

Wish

2008-12-26T13:44:00.000-08:00

Dear God,

Thank you for the super duper extreme white Christmas.

I'll never whine about how Christmases should always be white and how it's always annoyingly one degree too warm for the rain to turn into snow... ever again. Ever. Again.

...

..

.

Can you make it seventy and sunny now?

Pictures from Thanksgiving!

2008-12-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from our trip to LA~

Thanksgiving Dinner at Julie's

Andrew singing karaoke as punishment!

Beautiful Julie singing "Paper Roses"!

And my parents. (Aren't they so cute)

Dinner with my old roommates, Audrey & Mindy:

And finally.... one of me and my mister:

which is regretfully one of the only shots of us during this whole trip. We are so bad about taking pictures. (In my defense though... I don't have any kids to snap shots of. I ain't gettin' any younger though... that could be motivation...)

Mysterious Ways!

2008-12-08T11:25:00.000-08:00

Come see us!

Performance Times:
Saturday, December 13th at 6:00PM
Sunday, December 14th at 9:00AM, 11:00AM and 6:00PM

Grace Foursquare Church
http://www.gracefoursquare.org/

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving!

2008-12-04T14:19:00.000-08:00

That was the fastest Thanksgiving break ever.

Seriously, it felt like the nine days flew by in three. And I say this with a teeny bit of sadness because I didn’t quite feel ready to come home yet. (Back to finals and research papers and working overtime and Christmas production prep and rehearsals and last minute gift shopping… I am a busy girl.)

But childish complaints aside, I really truly am very very thankful this year.

This year, I am especially thankful for:
One, in this economic mess I have a great job (that is kicking mon derrière right now but nevertheless…), a great boss, and wonderful coworkers who are becoming dear friends. I’ve been promoted twice this year, which I hear is unheard of in a big corporation like this… but some unusual circumstances made it possible and I can hardly take credit for that. It’s just God’s grace.
Second, hot hubby. Man, I love being married to him. I can understand God’s love more… now that I know his. It’s so nice to have someone who is always for me… the way God has always been… only I never knew what that looked like until now.
And friends. I can honestly say that I have never been so blessed with friends as I am now. I used to never have anyone to call… and now I worry about how I’m ever going to call them all. Heart to heart friends who I can entrust my heart to… and friends who have faith in me enough to open theirs to me also… Friends whose hearts lean the same direction as mine… and friends who teach me the beauty of leaning another way…
Oh and our new home. Wow. I am a homeowner. I am already richer than I ever thought I could be… (I’m from LA, buhmember?)

So those super special, relatively-new things… on top of the things that I’ve always been thankful for. (like salvation and knowing that God’s in control… and my quirky but wonderful family, good food (i.e. the chicken apple & goat cheese salad that I am inhaling right now as I write this), and the fact that God made the world so beautiful for visually inspired people like me to appreciate when he very well could’ve made it just bleh. And my trusty gas efficient little Honda. And for contact lenses. And babies with their dimples-for-elbows that make me smile. And the fact that I could go on forever like this…)

This has truly been a season of blessing for Josh and me. So I know that the norm is to ask for prayer when things are bad…. But if you happen to think of us in your prayers, please say a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for all the amazing things he is doing in our lives.

Bitter with Baggage Seeks Same

2008-11-21T14:35:00.000-08:00

So... one day at Barnes and Noble I came across a set of notecards with a picture of a fluffy yellow chick and a stack of gorgeous luggage. They made me laugh. I had to get them.

They're perfect for writing little girlfriend notes, let me tell ya. But it did make me wonder if there were times when I looked a lot like that poor yellow chicken. Don't we all sometimes look like that poor little chicken? Practically buried under the things that we try to carry on our own.

I've been stuck with this idea of humanity... of how we are so tricked into isolation... believing that "doing it on my own" is such a good thing... Was it meant to be that way? How our focus on individuality made us believe that "it's about me and how special I am" and what our neighbors do is "none of my business"... This is what our culture teaches us. And how come it never occurred to me that this is all just a cop out answer born from our laziness and apathy. We don't want to care. And when we find that someone else cares about us, it's surprising... and a little embarrassing.

Brings tears to my eyes when I hear this voice in my head that says, "No, you weren't meant to live like that. You were all meant to carry each other. Carry each other..."

And I vow again to try my best to learn what that really means... what that really looks like

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

-Galatians 6:1 (NIV)