Video Frustration

Augh...I spent all this time editing and loading two videos only to have youtube reject it. By WHY did they reject it? Because the first video I uploaded was too long. And yet, according to my file it's only 7 minutes...So how did my 7 minute video on my computer load to youtube as a 13 minute vid? I have no idea. But I'm re-rendering and re-loading it now. So there are two new videos that will be up and running by the end of the afternoon: one for hair, one for makeup. Enjoy!

Click here to go straight to my channel.

Tilapia/Eggplant Torta

Finally, another cooking video! Aren't you guys proud of me? Anyhow, this dish is called torta, which is essentially a Filipino omelet. It can be prepared in many ways. Here, I am using eggplant as a base and adding fish meat with the egg to add a bit more protein and substance. However, it can be made with the eggplant alone, or it can even be made without the eggplant, using just egg and meat. It's a very versatile meal as you can change the meat to almost anything as well. In the past I've used ground beef, ground turkey, and even minced shrimp. Essentially, anything that goes with egg will work well in this recipe.



There's also a funny story involving this video. My husband was in and out of the kitchen while I was cooking. He had been asking me for eggplant torta and dilis (salty, dried, fried anchovies) for a week, so I decided to make it, and he knew it. However, he also saw me defrost 3 tilapia fillets. My usual preparation of tilapia on Filipino food nights is to deep fry it, so that's what he was expecting. After I was finished cooking, I called him to eat. He saw the torta, the rice, the dilis and the tomato, but he kept looking around like he was expecting something else. I saw him look in the oven and the deep fryer. He checked the microwave and opened the fridge and freezer. Eventually he outright asked me where the tilapia went. I told him to eat his dinner, then I'd tell him. But he wouldn't have it. He was determined to find the tilapia before he ate dinner. He really wanted that tilapia. I told him he would not find it unless he ate his dinner. He then began searching through cabinets. He looked in the trash. He even checked the dishwasher! I couldn't stop laughing and he was laughing too. I think it took me about 15 to 20 minutes to convince him that I would tell him as soon as he sat down to eat dinner. Eventually he did, and lo and behold, just like I said, he found the tilapia with his first bite. The funniest part is that this isn't the first time I've made tilapia/eggplant torta, so he should have known it was in there. Oh well, it made for a nice laugh and a cute memory.

On that note, I'm off to do more work.

Take care!

Colleen

Do Macs taste like Apples?

Ok, odd question I realize. But there is a good reason for the question. My husband and I have our own laptops. Soon after I had mine replaced from the soup fiasco, my hubby bought himself a MacBook Pro. It's a nice machine. He offered it to me, but my laptop is 2 pounds lighter, so I decided to stick with mine. Besides, as far as aesthetics goes, I'd say Mac and Sony are in a tie.

Anyhow, that has nothing to do with the title of the post. All you really need to know is, I have a Sony and my hubby has a Mac. OK, so, the hubby and I often sit in bed with our respective laptops and we surf the net, watch shows, sift through youtube, go to forums, etc. Our cats are usually close by to watch. Mau is my cat, and he sits at my feet (I like to believe it's to keep them warm...). Donnie is Wilson's cat. He's a bit more mischievous. He likes to get all up in what you're doing. He likes to lick you while you sleep. He also like to bite things... Perhaps you can see where this is going in regards to Macs tasting like apples...

Donnie has never tried to bite my laptop. Never. I leave it sitting around when I'm at home, and I've never seen a mark on it, nor witnessed Donnie attempt to bite it. However, twice now he's chomped on the Mac's screen... So that leaves me to wonder, does the Mac taste better than the Sony? Or smell better? Or look yummier? What do you guys think? More interestingly: Do cats like apples?

Man, Donnie is such a character...


On another note, I've got some new vids coming out soon. Take care guys!

Colleen

Addiction

I am officially addicted to sewing. Every spare minute is allotted to sewing, hence the shortage on videos...I will be editing some soon. Hopefully posting one today maybe? So far, I've done a few clothing reconstructions and a few made-from-scratch items. I hope to do a show-and-tell type video to show you what I've made. I'm amazed at how much money you can save by making your own clothes. Especially when you make items like business attire, which can cost an arm and a leg. I made a cute pencil skirt for around $10 total with buying a high-quality fabric. It's a very fulfilling hobby. I had no idea... I'm so glad I tried it. I'm fairly certain this isn't one of those pick-it-up-for-now-drop-it-in-2-months kind of hobbies. I think this is something I'm going to stick with for a long time to come. I hope you guys will enjoy the ride as well.

As far as videos go, I've had requests for more school/work east-to-do styles. I'll try to post one vid a week, alternating between cooking, make-up, and hair. Sometimes you'll find that I post in batches, then will be silent for a few weeks. I'm sure you guys will understand that with my 7-day-a-week work schedule, I don't have a whole lot of extra time each week (not to mention the new addiction), but I'll get them out as I can.

TTFN and take care!

New Hobby

I am picking up a new hobby: sewing. I know I don't really NEED a new hobby. I barely have time to breath anymore. But I grew up watching my mom and grandma sewing clothes from scratch, and I don't want to lose that culture. I've been in a sewing craze lately. I have all these ideas in my head, and no sewing machine to make them.

So began my hunt for a sewing machine. I checked the local listings in Craig's list and got a few hits. I found one I really wanted: a thirty year old Brother machine with a cabinet where the sewing machine can hide. It was $25. What a deal! So I had e-mailed the seller and talked back and forth. After speaking with the owner of the machine, I was satisfied that it was still in good shape, so I e-mailed the seller to say I wanted to pick it up. This time he didn't reply. Two days later, I sent another e-mail, and he replied that it had sold the day after I told him I wanted to schedule a time to pick it up...grrr...oh well.

So I moved on to another posting. This one seemed promising: $20 for a nearly brand new machine. The lady had bought it from someone else a few months back and never had a chance to use it, so she decided to give up the idea of learning. She had never even turned it on. I went to check it out, only to find that it didn't work AT ALL... Her speculation was that the pedal was broken because the previous owner had told her it "sticks". Well, a new pedal is $30 plus shipping... so moving on once more.

I e-mailed TONS of craigslisters and browsed through a zillion postings, then I was hit by a revelation. I should check the local Goodwill. So I went to the store, and lo and behold: a sewing machine... without an electric plug or outlet... crap. Even at $12, why would I spend on something I can't use... So then I thought, "What about Salvation Army?" There was a Salvation Army Thrift Store nearby, so I went to check it out only to find they were closed...at 6:30 pm on a Thursday... hmmm... Well, I found out later that their hours are 9 am - 5 pm, Mon-Sat. Well, that makes it difficult to even check if they have one. Then I remembered this miraculous thing called a PHONE! (Yeah, genius). I called and the lady said they had an old Singer sewing machine for $25. That piqued my interest. I couldn't make it there that evening, but maybe I could stop by Saturday afternoon. Well, that didn't work out either...Sunday, closed. Monday morning I was supposed to check out the Brother that turned out to be broken, and I didn't get home from work till 11 pm. So then, it was Tuesday. But I went to work really early that day and wasn't sure if I would be able to make it before the store closed. Lucky me, I was done early!

So I picked up my mom for her expert advice and we sauntered on down to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. I fell in love! It was amazing, and I want to share it with you...



It's a heavy, metal monster built in Italy. It runs like a stallion, and sounds so solid. The stitches are beautiful and it has all sorts of neat little features. You can actually set the maximum speed so that even if you press the pedal all the way down, it won't run away without you. *great for beginners* It has a reverse function, stick length control, three needle positions, drop in bobbin system, and zig-zag capabilities. It came with it's own carry case and some additional accessories too! I am very happy with my purchase. I brought it home, cleaned it and oiled it and babied it, and then it thanked me by helping me alter a $2 skirt to fit me perfectly! (I did some clothing shopping while I was at the Thrift Store).

Here are some pics of my new baby!

Review: Retro Chic Conditioning Potion

I had the opportunity to try Retro Chic's Conditioning Potion courtesy of BeautyChoice.com.

Here are the claims made by the company:

Joshua Bernard, a professional hair artist and President of Retro-Chic International, has longed to develop a hair treatment system that is superior for restoring damaged hair, locking-in color, and providing lasting protection against the drying effects of harsh sunlight and chemical environments. To make this possible, Joshua has teamed with two of the world’s leading molecular scientists to develop the industry’s first "Microcapsule Remediation System" for hair conditioning.

Many plant-derived anti-oxidants and vitamins are known to prevent dryness or counteract damage to skin and hair. However, conditioners containing the most effective anti-oxidants tend to rapidly lose their potency after the bottle has been opened and exposed to the air. Retro-Chic International has solved this dilemma by encapsulating three extra-active anti-oxidants: pomegranate extract, rosemary extract, and vitamin E succinate. These tiny microballoons of vitamin E protect the highly active anti-oxidants and extend their shelf-life in the new Retro-Chic Conditioning Potion™.

This formula is designed to enrich the hair with moisture. Retro-Chic Conditioning Potion™ will replenish naturally chic or chemically altered hair to its fullest.

• Natural and Maximum Color Protection
• Microencapsulation Conditioning System
• Lightweight resilience
• Moisturize ~ Laminate

Check out more Retro Chic products.

My thoughts:



I am quite pleased with the results of this conditioner. My usually frizzy, dry ends were smooth and silky even if my hair was air-dryed. It was quite miraculous actually. And the results lasted longer than one hair-washing. I didn't even have to use the Conditioning potion every time. I can alternate between the Retro Chic and another budget conditioner and keep up the same effect, which is great for the budget conscious person.

I am a very results driven consumer, so the fact that this conditioner works so well is enough for me to buy it again. However, ingredients is something important to a lot of people. So I took a look at the ingredients list and there are only two truly organic chemicals found in this bottle: Pomegranate extract and rosemary. These ingredients are at the bottom of the least, meaning they are present in the least quantity. Most other ingredients are rather innocuous: emollients, moisturizers, a form of vitamin E , emulsifiers (to allow water and oils to mix), and sunblocking agents.

However, here is a list of ingredients that may be of concern to some people:

Behentrimonium chloride - Used as an anti-static. Can cause irritation in some people.

PEG-150 Distearate - Used for thickening. Can be contaminated with dioxanes, which are toxic.

Silicones - Good moisturizer and heat protectant. Some people have skin sensitive to silicones.

octinoxate - Sunblocking agent. Can cause allergic reactions. Some studies show hormonal interference.

Phenylethanol - An anti-bacterial. Can cause irritation. FDA warns that some studies show this chemical can depress the Central Nervous System.

Parabens - Preservatives. This chemical is an estrogen analog and can therefore interfere with hormones as well. Some studies link it to breast cancer.

Final Thoughts:

While there are some ingredients that may cause concern, keep in mind that they are in small doses and well within FDA regulation. I just wanted to let you know it is there. As I mentioned earlier, I have fallen in love with the results and will definitely continue using this product, and I urge you to try it as well. In the end it's up to you. Purchase this product here.

Bottom Line:

Pros: Works like magic. Makes hair appear healthy again.

Cons: Not cheap. May contain irritating ingredients for people with sensitive skin.

Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?

So several people requested to hear it, and here it is. I'm sorry about going off pitch in several places and for the poor audio quality. I hope you enjoy it anyway.

The title is "Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?" which literally translates to "Is God Sleeping?" But do not misunderstand the title. The singer isn't asking if God is asleep. She is asking a person who is always worried about problems and trails whether that person believes God is sleeping. The translation can be seen below with the tagalog words as well.


























I sang this for my Grandmother's 89th Birthday. At the end of the video, you can see her. My mom said she almost cried...almost (oh well, maybe next time)...





As you can tell, I got my new computer, so look for new tutorials soon!

Mini Hiatus

So I will be on somewhat of a video hiatus. It's not voluntary at all. I'm rather upset to have to take a break, I had so many vids lined up and ready for editing and posting. Unfortunately, I had a co-worker spill soup onto my laptop, which contains all my footage. And even if I had my video footage elsewhere, my desktop computer does not have the proper specs or software to complete any of my projects anyway.

It's pretty bad. I brought my computer home to remove the hard drive. I was hoping to prevent further corrosion from the salts in the soup by removing it. When I took the computer apart, I found soup in my touch pad, my keyboard, and on the motherboard. Not only that, I found a lovely patch of burnt motherboard. Not to mention the soup had soaked all the way from the top of my computer down to where the RAM is housed... not a good sight. I managed to remove the hard drive, which has some dried soup on it. My hubby works at Best Buy, so he's supposed to help me extract everything that's on my hard drive. Fortunately, I keep my research data backed up regularly. The problem will be my pictures, videos, and music. There isn't enough space on my external HD for all that.

Anyhow, wish me luck. So far Geek Squad, my dad, and my computer tech Father-in-law all say it's pretty hopeless. I have no choice but to purchase a replacement. That computer retailed for $1900 when I bought it...ouch... I wasn't expecting to buy a new one for 5-6 years.

Man, today really sucked. I only accomplished 1/3 of the research I intended to, and now I can't order primers to fix my problems because I don't have access to my data. Then, of course, there's the laptop issue. In top of that, I came home seeking comfort food, so I pulled out and English Toffee Ice cream bar only to find that the ice cream had melted and re-froze at the bottom of the package, so when I bit into the bar, all I got was the chocolate shell. After I sucked the ice cream from the wrapper, I got a new one, cuz I felt I deserved a decent ice cream bar after today, and the wrapper got stuck to the side, so as I ate it, I had to pull the paper out of my mouth... Augh! What a day. Hope yours was better. Please have patience while I go on video hiatus...

My Grandma

In exactly one week (July 4th), the entire United States will celebrate its 233rd anniversary of declaring independence. Since most of my family lives in the US, we'll be celebrating this as well. However, we'll also be celebrating something more important to us, the 89th birthday of my grandmother (on my mom's side).

She's the only grandparent I've ever known because all the other 3 died before I was even born. Not only that, she was there to watch me be born and even to help raise me. To this day, I find it a treat to eat ramen noodles for breakfast. Odd I know, but every morning, my grandma would wake up early and make ramen noodles on the stove for me. Then she'd pack it into a tupperware, and I'd take it to school with me. I always got to school really early because my dad was a teacher (at another school that opened earlier) and had to drop me off at school before it officially opened. So I had the school to myself for 2 hours every morning. I'd arrive at school and the janitors would let me into the cafeteria. Then I would take out my packed ramen noodles and enjoy every bite.

I also remember how much she loved to play cards, especially solitaire or go fish. We'd play go fish together for hours. Unfortunately, her arthritis makes holding cards rather difficult know, but she likes to play sungka now, which is a filipino strategy game (more info here). Her arthritis also prevents her from one of her greatest skills: sewing. She's a master seamstress. Show her an outfit in a magazine and she could replicate it for you. I had so many homemade dresses when I was a little girl. I remember one especially cute sailor-inpired jumper. It was black and white plaid with a cute little red tie. I used to love watching her sew. To this day, I take great comfort in hearing scissors cutting fabric while resting on a table.

So anyhow, as for the celebration. We're having a big program for her and even renting a venue. There's supposed to be roasted big, and I'm sure plenty of other filipino delicacies. I finally picked the song I'm going to sing and I've been practicing hard. It's in tagalog, so it takes a little more time to memorize and I just staring memorizing yesterday...hehe... I had songs in mind, but the family wanted me to sing a tagalog song. There is always something so entertaining for filipions to see me singing tagalog songs. I'm just glad I've finally graduated from "Ang Pipit" to a more mature song. If anyone is interested in seeing my performance, perhaps I can video it and post it to my youtube.

Well, unfortunately, it back to work time for me, so TTFN!

Beauty Profile

Since I do beauty tutorials on top of my other vids, and since I usually do makeup and hair that best suits me, I thought I should put up a skin and hair profile.

My hair:

• Color - Dark Brown

• Texture (Thickness of each individual hair strand) - Fine

• Density (Actual amount of hair) - Thick

• Classification - Combination (Oily on one spot on my scalp, normal everywhere else)

My Skin:

• Color - Very light, but not quite fair. Fair denotes pink undertones, but my skin has yellow undertones. For reference, I used to use Bare Escentuals in Medium Beige (2.3). I now use Everyday Minerals in Warm-Medium Beige. I also use e.l.f. shielding hydrotint in Tone 2.

• Classification - I have standard combination skin with an oily T-zone and normal skin elsewhere.

• Problems - I don't have a huge problem with pimples, which is something I consider to be a disadvantage. The more oily the skin, the longer it stays looking young. This is why my 60 year old aunt looks 45, but still gets pimples. So those plagued with acne, be content to know you will look younger than the rest of us. I do have issues with blackheads on the nose though, for which I have recently found treatment. I also have issues with milia, which are seriously frustrating and I've had some that hang around for years before I get impatient and simply extract it myself with a sterile needle. Sometimes they don't even last a month before I get annoyed and extract the little devils...

So that's all I can think of right now. Let me know if there's anything else I should put here.
TTFN!

Colleen

Frustration

I'm so upset. I've been trying to get around to editing my video on mini eggplant "pizzas" video, and I finally had the time, only to find that the footage is completely gone! Argh! I have no idea where it is. It's not on my computer hard drive, it's not on the external HD, it's not on the camera HD. I have no idea. Looks like I'm gonna have to completely re-do the whole thing... Time to go grocery shopping...

Random Ramblings - Research

My research is done for the day, except for needing to start an overnight culture of Streptococcus pyogenes, so I thought I'd take some time to blog a bit. I've mentioned in the past that I am a graduate student of biomolecular chemistry, but I've never really mentioned what I do. So, if you care: I'm gonna tell you. If you don't: wait for my next blog or video upload. I'll do my best not make it boring.

I work on something called riboswitches. Now if we break that down, what we get is: ribonucleic acid + switch = RNA switch. And it is what it sounds like: a switch that is made of RNA which turns gene expression on or off. It's a very simple mechanism and requires very little materials, hence it's a good system to be used by small organisms that don't have a whole lot of life materials to spare (i.e. bacteria). There are plenty of these guys in nature. They usually respond to things like nucleic acids, amino acids, or other life-essential molecules.

However, scientists have become experts at using things found in nature and molding them to their own benefit. So what we do in our lab is attempt to make riboswitches that respond to molecules we like (or don't like).

But what good is that? Well, think of these as applications:

A bacterium that seeks out pesticides in soil, and when it finds the pesticide, an ezyme is expressed that can break down that pesticide, leaving clean soil!

A synthetic cell that can be injected into a diabetic patient so that when it detects high amounts of blood sugar, they pump out insulin. No more insulin shots!

A sythetic cells that seeks out molecules secreted by cancer cells, and pumps out medication to selectively kill the cancer cell.


Now obviously, these are things that will take years to develop. But everyone in science does their part to build up to these great inventions. So I work on putting these switches into pathogenic bacteria. With my particular project, people who work with pathogenic bacteria will be able to turn genes on and off to determine which genes are essential for pathogenesis (the process used by bacteria to invade another organism). The better we understand the genes involved in infecting (people
for example), the better we can treat infections. In the picture to the left, you can see where I have turned on gene expression (left) versus expression being off (right) in response to the presence of theophylline, a caffeine derivative. The section on the bottom of both plates contains strains of bacteria that always express the enzyme that makes the cells blue (called a positive control).

So I hope this hasn't been a complete snooze fest for you. I didn't want to go too in depth. I was going for an overview, so that people know in general what a biomolecular chemist does. Who knows, maybe one of you will want to become one (or are becoming one) one day!

That's it for now, and don't forget to keep checking out my youtube channel for more cooking tutorials, beauty how-tos, and product reviews!

TTFN

My Review of Cuticle Pushers

EyesLipsFace.com

Achieve healthy looking nails with the dual end cuticle pusher. Each end is designed to fit snugly around the nail to push back cuticles and to clean the nails for a well manicured look. Includes 2 Cuticle Pushers.

Cuticle Pushers

not as pictured

CKR Atlanta, GA 6/15/2009

 

4 5

Pros: Easy To Use

Best Uses: Daily Use

These pushers look different from the picture. First of all, they are two identical plastic pushers. They work, and I like them. I keep one in my purse and one in my manicure kit. Basically one side looks like the flat rounded end of an orange stick (The wooden manicure stick that comes with a lot of manicure kits) and the other end is flat and angled to a point. The only reason I gave 4 stars is because it was not what I was expecting from the picture shown on the website.

()

My Review of Hollywood Eyelashes Kit

EyesLipsFace.com

No mess, lash beautification for a Hollywood glamour look. Achieve lashes like the celebrities with this all-in-one kit.
Kit Includes: Lash applicator, lash stand, false lashes and adhesive glue.

Hollywood Eyelashes Kit

like the lashes, not the applicator

CKR Atlanta, GA 6/15/2009

 

4 5

Pros: Good Value, Lightweight, Effective

Describe Yourself: Budget Buyer

My Beauty Routine Takes: 30 Minutes

The lashes look great. They look better than natural and dramatic without looking fake. I must say I don't feel the need for the applicator. I find it easier to use tweezers. The applicator is only helpful if your eyes are shaped a particular way. The stand is great though. It helps keep the form wonderfully.

()

Props to Smashbox

So, a while back I was blogging about how upset I was that Smashbox stated that amino acids are the building blocks of DNA. I e-mailed them about it and got what seemed to be a "blow-off" e-mail that stated my suggestion would be put into consideration. I figured they would ignore me. Instead, I checked their website today and found out that they have since changed the description of their Lash DNA mascara. It's good to know they listen to their customers (though I'm not really a customer since I've never purchased from them.) I may just have to buy something from them (I've been liking the free sample of foundation primer I have) just because I'm so impressed they they have listened to the consumer. Now I know I am probably not the only one who wrote in about this, but I am definitely happy I was able to participate in this change. Props to Smashbox!

Beauty Product Reviews on the way

Hey Everyone!

I'm really excited. I recently found out that I was accepted into the Beauty Stars program from Beautychoice.com. That's all well and good right? But what good does it do you? Well, it means I'll be able to do more product reviews without sucking my wallet dry. Beautychoice.com will send me products to try, and I do reviews on them and post them to my youtube and to their website. Very simple. The first product is already on the way. Not to mention I have a ton of e.l.f. product reviews to do on my own. I've found some great products from eyeslipsface.com and some not so good products, so stayed tuned! I'll be posting new vids soon of reviews as well as a few tutorials.

Take care!

Colleen

Make-your-own Bang (Fringe) Clip

You know that annoying dent you get in your hair if you pin a section out of the way? Like when you use a bobby pin to pin back bangs while you do makeup and after you take it down you have a crimp where the bobby pin was? Well, watch my quick vid on how to make clip that will hold small sections of hair out of the way without leaving that unsightly crimp or dent. Enjoy!

Cheap (as in price not quality) makeup

I've recently discovered E.L.F. cosmetics. I love eye shadow. I have tons of it. I am also addicted to makeup brushes. So imagine my joy when I found a company that sells both of those things for $1 a pop. You read right: 1 buck. Almost all of their makeup is only a single dollar. The most expensive thing they seem to have are makeup bags and large makeup collections, but in the end, they're worth the price as well. I will be doing some product reviews soon, but in the mean time, go check them out! They also have a nice referral program. They give you free stuff when you invite your friends to buy too. All you have to do is enter their e-mail and ELF sends them a link, and if they buy, you get credits. If you get enough people to buy, you can earn free makeup for life!!! Unfortunately, I don't know that many people who like makeup, so I can't take advantage of this program, but maybe you can. Stay tuned for video reviews and spring makeup tutorials!!! In the mean time, check out E.L.F. cosmetics, and here's a great coupon to get you started:

Buy One Get One 50% off at EyesLipsFace.com! Use Coupon ELF4U with Your $25 Purchase.

TTFN,

Colleen

Upset about make-up

I was reading Cosmo last night, when I stumbled upon an advertisement for smashbox's lash DNA mascara. I don't usually look at the ads for expensive make-up, but being a scientist, I was interested in what smashbox defined as DNA. I figured it was an acronym, and I was right, it's apparently and acronym for DeoxyriboNucleic Acid...good ole fashioned genetic material. Now what could possibly make me angry about this? Nothing.

What upsets me is the information they deliver. Keep in mind, this ad will be seen by non-scientists, many of them young high school and college students. Here is what the ad says:


Long lashes not in your genes? Our revolutionary new scientifically-engineered mascara is packed with proteins and amino acids, the building blocks of DNA, that bind to lashes for genetic defying length as it conditions and repairs former damage. The unique double helix brush grabs each lash, no matter how small, for the ultimate fanned out effect. Dramatic jet black shade intensifies and defines. Defy genetics with Lash DNA Mascara.


What bothers me is the words in bold. PROTEINS AND AMINO ACIDS DO NOT MAKE UP DNA!!!
So this is false education. So, if any of you are just as upset as I am about this, please feel free to join me in e-mailing smashbox. A link to customer service is below where there is an e-mail address... I don't mind mascara that "defies genetics" or saying that proteins bind to the lashes to make them prettier, but saying proteins make up DNA is downright wrong and can serve to miss-educate students.


Customer Service contact info

Anyhow, I'm done ranting...hope you guys have a good day!

Yo yo weather

I hate yo yo weather. Cold then warm then cold then warm. Now I have a terrible sinus infection, and a whopping headache to go with it... What's more, the sinus infection makes it hard to sleep, so I'm low on energy too...

Ok, so enough complaining. I posted a vid today on how I trim my hair. Sometimes people ask me who cuts my hair, and usually, the answer is me. I only get a professional cut about twice a year (sometimes only once). So here is how I cut my front layers. Remember to try at your own risk, and if you do try, go slowly. Impatience will get you mistakes. Mistakes that won't go away until they grow out.

Moved-In and Video-Ready

I've finally gotten around to filming and editing new videos. The videos filmed in the new house won't be posted until I am done editing and posting old vids, but at least I'm posting again...I was a bit sad to see I lost 2 subscribers due to my long video silence. Oh well, hopefully I can convince them to return! So here they are. One cooking vid: The long-awaited tempura video. And one hair vid: The modernized half up half down hairdo. Enjoy!

Moving in

So needless to say, I haven't been doing many videos lately. I promise I haven't forgotten, and I still have several that have been shot but not edited. I still have to post the ever popular tempura tutorial. I've just been very busy moving to a new house. Yep, the hubby and I have finally flown the coop of our tiny one bedroom apartment and moved to a brand new house! The problem is, we've also moved further from work, which makes time at home very scarce. Therefore, videos will probably be rather scarce as well, but I will get them out whenever I can. Hopefully you guys will have no trouble waiting.

As far as the move goes, we've got in our furniture and everything is out of the apartment. I've completely set up the kitchen (so get ready to see a new kitchen featured in my vids, not to mention a new bathroom). I also finished most of the living room and dining room. I finished up the office last night. The Master bedroom is far from done, and my clothes are still mostly in boxes. Every night when I get home, I try to finish another section of the house, so hopefully I'll be all done by next week.

Well, I'll be posting new vids as soon as I get a chance to edit them, so you'll be seeing the old apartment till all those vids are out. But stay tuned to see the new house!

TTFN

Random - Skittles Reflect the Rainbow

So, since my blog is the realm of random ramblings, I will ramble about something random. I saw my cousin's status on FB and it was talking about a Skittles commercial. SO I looked it up on youtube. I thought it was hilarious and wanted to share, since I won't be able to post any vids of my own for a while. So here it is. Enjoy! The argument isn't the only funny part. There's also the fact that the white guy looks in the mirror and says "Wait, I'm not eating Skittles" and says nothing about the fact that the "him" in the mirrors are all different ethnicities. The man in the mirror is Filipino and is speaking Tagalog. I'm not sure about the tailor. I don't think he's Filipino or speaking Tagalog. One of the comments I saw states that he's Thai. Maybe someone else can confirm that?

Anyhow, enough rambling. WATCH IT!!!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year one and all. I hope your celebration was as fantastic as mine! As always there were lots of family members and friends and plenty of fun. In celebration, I wanted to post a video about my favorite products I found in 2008. These are not all the great things I've found, but they are ones I had to tell the world about before 2009 really gets rolling. So here we are:



Happy Shine Photos:

Week 1: Blowdry

Week 2: Curling Iron-styled

Week 3: Air Dry

Week 4: Air Dry

Week 5: Flat Ironed