All in Good Taste

I'm your normal, average plain jane who just happens to like fiddling around with her appearance. I'm not sure if it's more than other girls or not, but who really cares, I think it's worth blogging about.

Everything is my personal opinion. Personally I take my opinion as THE WORD until I find something better, but you're not obligated to follow. I would like for you to, though, since that would mean that you value my opinion, but in the end, since I can't track you down to see if you did, it really doesn't matter if you think my opinion is shit. I like my opinions, and I'm sure you like yours too. Always do what you think is right.

But I also love hearing other opinions! Feel free to leave any comments, critiques, scathing remarks, or just say hi. :D If you take offense in what I'm saying, leave a note too. I'll do my best to reply back.

Also, to clarify, this is mostly a fashion and beauty blog. Just because it is, don't think I'm stupid. I don't think I'm stupid, and I don't appreciate when others insinuate that I am.

Normally, I don't do these type of things for various reasons.

Hope for Natalie is a website dedicated to an 8 year old trying to find a bone marrow donor. Jinny sent me an email, and I'm assuming it's from one of her coworkers. Please keep the family in your prayers/thoughts, and help them find a donor. They're looking for someone of Asian descent, because there might be a better match.

She only has weeks to live (my email says one month). You can help her find a suitable match through her website.

HA.

If you have mild to moderate astigmatism, you can wear circle lenses for myopia. Which is great, because there aren't many for astigmatism which are cheap! Or that comes in pretty colors.

I found them more comfortable than wearing my toric circle lenses, because they don't dry out my eyes as much. Sight-wise, it's not as crisp as wearing regular torics, but still good.

So I've removed comments screened for anonymous posters, since I realized that some people (aka SARAH... but I'm sure you're not the only one) don't have a Livejournal account. So, post away, since your comment will appear even when posting as anonymous.

I always get a high after finishing my homework. (Alex came by, and pantomimed smoking... NO it's not that kind of "high")

Anyways, bought some patterns off the Vogue Patterns website, since I couldn't find any dresses that were under $100 and made of natural fibers or natural fiber blends. In general, I prefer buying dresses, mostly because I stopped really having a lot of extra time to make them. It's really convenient. But, you can't beat the customization and fit of a hand made dress! And sometimes, it's nice to change it up and make something. Plus, it can be cheaper than buying it from the store.

And I swear, every time I look at my blonde pictures, I get an itch to go back to blonde. It's super ridiculous. I guess it may not be the most flattering color on me (I personally think it looks fine, but I know that there is a "better" color), but I still feel the urge to go and bleach my hair anyways. But then, I always remember the maintenance and how dry my hair always felt. The simplest solution would be to buy a wig, but there are some times when wigs are just so troublesome. But, at least they're less troublesome than maintaining blonde, right? I get the same feeling with pink, too. And light brown. But, must get to goal length, before destroying again. And at point, either the hairdresser will be overjoyed at the thought of virgin hair or have a heart attack at the thought of processing the length.

So, in the meantime, I have moved my obsession of tinkering to contact lenses, of the colored variety.

I'm a little surprised at myself that I didn't really write anything about circle lenses. They're not a new phenomenon, but they're something I use often, and really like.

I understand that they're called "circle lenses" but I always got the impressions that circle lenses are one of two things: colored contacts for dark eyes in general, or the lenses with the black or brown ring on the outside that aren't designed to add any color to your irises, but increase the diameter of your iris.

I remember reading about these in Wired magazine in high school, and wanting a pair. A few girls in school also wore them regularly, but I wasn't really in that crowd, nor did I think to ask.

Anyways, I like circle lenses, especially the colored ones. They're cheap and they show up on dark eyes. Some of the brown ones, especially, blend into your eye color very well, and looks really natural, while enhancing the depth of your eyes. I think of them as cheap, color contact lenses.

They're also really fun to have around, and if you wear contacts, why not get something a little fun?

I find them really comfortable, or at least, they're as comfortable as my regular contacts.

I did a little experiment, since I normally have to wear toric contacts.

Toric contacts are for people with astigmatism, and there are a few brands that make circle lenses for astigmatism. Unfortunately, I still haven't found any brands that sell them as cheap as regular circle lenses (for myopia), because toric lenses are more expensive to produce.

Now, some people are going to get anal on me, and I don't know if I should recommend this, but if you have mild to moderate astigmatism, and you're near sighted (I'm not sure about far-sighted folks), then you can get away with regular prescription circle lens.

Google tells me that to get my prescription, I need to half my cyclical and add it to my spherical. Which I did, then searched around for a site that not only has them in stock, but ships quickly and for a decent price.

Annnnd I got them in the mail, wore them for half a day, and they seem to feel the same as my toric circle lens, except these tend to move around my eye a little. I am a little more aware of them, but I don't think it's that much different from wearing regular toric lenses. Obviously, they aren't as clear as wearing my torics, and I'm not sure if that's because it's not toric, or because I rounded my prescription down. I think that they're passible, and it's possible to drive with them on in daylight and dusk, but it's a little difficult to see (than normal) once it gets darker. It should be fine for clubbing or going out, though. As long as you're not the one driving, or you don't wear them for super long periods of time.

So, where to get them?

My favorite sites are
Dollfront
Honey Color
demoi_pourvous

Dollfront has the fastest shipping, and they're reasonably cheap. They're based in San Jose, which is a big, big plus for me. They also have some prescriptions stocked, which is good if you want to try something on without waiting a long time to see if the lenses will work out for you. However, they only carry Geo lenses, and if they don't have your prescription, then you're going to have to join a preorder, and I prefer a different site for that. They offer free shipping in the US. All in all, my favorite site if I can find what I want in stock and can't wait for Honey Color to send to me.

Honey Color has circle lenses in all prescriptions in stock. They have very reasonable prices, and they have a lot of brands for circle lenses. They also have customer reviews on lenses, so you can see how comfortable they are, how brightly they show up, etcetera. They take a while to ship, and I'm not entirely sure where they are based. I do like their site for their variety and pricing.

Demoi_pourvous is my go-to for preorders. Hers are the cheapest I had ever seen, and she also offers wholesale prices for orders of ten contacts and more. Right now she has a preorder batch open for Geo and CTK lenses, and I highly recommend ordering some from her, since she offers free shipping and goodies when you buy three or more pairs of lenses. Shipping is also slow, since you have to wait for the preorder to fill, and she ships from the Philippines. However, if you are patient and you can't resist a good deal, or you're stocking up for the year, this is the site to go to.

And, all three companies gives you a free contact lens case to go with every pair of lenses you buy, which is a big plus.

 Yes! Vegas for spring break/Easter/my birthday.

I love you Costco Travels. Seriously, booking there can be cheaper than going on other websites. I have yet to find a cheaper price for hotels and flights. 

I didn't book a fancy hotel, but it's fine because I plan on eating and watching shows, and wandering around. I guess eventually, I want to stay at the Wynn or the Bellagio, or Cesar's Palace or the Venetian, but I haven't started my career yet, so I'm a little poor to stay there. It is on the strip, right across from the Bellagio, though, so if I want to watch "O" (which, I REALLY want to do), then it's just a matter of crossing a (really wide) street. 

Anyways, will put a temporary ban/restriction on stuff in general until I reach my next financial goal for my overall bank account. Gas, food, and contact lenses are not on my ban list. I just hope that the sample sales won't tempt me too much! I really want to get a smaller purse!

I have found a DDR machine in one of the buildings I eat lunch at. So, guess what I'm doing at breakfast and lunch break? DDR.

On a really messed up note, I like playing DDR more than socializing with my coworkers. I think it might be because I haven't played/gone dancing/danced in a long time, and DDR is filling up that void. It also really helps get rid of my headaches from working too much. 

Anyways, here's the video for my blue eyes that I did yesterday. It's a rather easy look. I used yellow-green instead of yellow, and changed the eyeliner to make it easier on me, and more dramatic falsies to add more lift to my eyelid. I also opted for a nude lip, instead of coral, since I don't like coral lips, yet. 


Mine obviously came out a little more subtle, though. It really is as easy as she says!

I'm also going to do a post on circle lenses in the future. 

 Just something real fast before I leave.

This was inspired by one of the Korean youtube gurus I was following. I haven't worn blue eyeshadow in a while, so I decided that it would be a good use for my blue pigment that I never use.

I think this is a vast improvement from when I used it last time. 



Also, I used copious amounts of blush. I have a newfound love for blush, especially Chanel's blush. You can't see it in this picture, and I assume it's from the flash, so I am going to put on more. LOL. 

Used:

Face: BRTC BB Cream, Chanel Double Perfection Compact in Soft Beige, Chanel blush in Rose Petale, MAC Shape and Sculpt in Bone Beige/Accentuate, MAC Studio Sculpt concealer in NC20

Eyes: Blue, green, green/yellow pigments, Palladio liquid eyeliner (black), Darkness false eyelashes, Rimmel eyebrow pencil, Dior black eyeshadow

Lips: MAC Studio Sculpt concealer in NC20, Chanel glossimer in Glaze

Updated the thing about Google, so please, check it out!

hellangelss is doing a bulk order on Cyperous wigs in this entry. The wigs are apparently very high quality, and there are a lot of nice styles. A little bit pricey, but I'm assuming that since they're a well-known brand in Japan, they are worth the money.

Deadline to order is Feb 19, and deadline for payment is Feb 26.

She also has a couple sales going on with some costumes, so if you're in the size 0~4 range, check her out. She has some that can be work in the bigger sizes.

With that said, I looked over some wigs, since I've been missing my blonde and pink hair. I found a few potential ones to order. 
( Onto the wigs! )And I've also been thinking about going  to Las Vegas from April 3~6 for Easter/ spring break/ my birthday. Not sure if anyone wants to go, or if I even want to invite other people because 1) it's expensive and 2) I'm going to be rooming in my own room, so other people are going to have to get their own. If you book a hotel/flight package from Costco Travel, it is a little less expensive, though. 

With that said, I want to get some BIG BLING. 

( Read more... )

So, this isn't one of those "work from home" things, and you'll be working in my division (but not under me, of course, you'll be working under my boss, lol).

Pretty much, if you can work full time and you're really handy (by which I mean, you can read and understand web content, and you can hold and understand a conversation) with Russian, Mandarin, Thai, German, French, or Czech, or know anyone who is looking for a job and can travel to Mountain View, just PM me and I'll send you information on who to contact. Or, you can just email me directly at hpark@google.com. I have access to my work email on my phone, so you don't need to worry about me not getting your email.

The contract is for one year, but you can leave the contract at any time. You also, of course, get free breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinners, if you're working that shift, and get an awesome new Google badge, because they're upgrading their badges. And if you want, access to the Google fitness center. There are some opportunities for overtime (remember, overtime pay is 1.5 times your regular salary!, so if you're not doing anything during the weekend or you're waiting for your ride or waiting out traffic after work, you can make more monies!

And, this pays WELL above minimum wage, yes, even SF minimum wage, which is supposed to be pretty high at a whopping $9.79. The hours are VERY reliable, unlike retail, so you pretty much will always know when you're working. The shifts are from 7~8 AM to 3:30-4:40 PM (depending on how long you decide to have your lunch), but you can request shift changes once you finish your training and you solidly know what to do (usually takes a month). This is pretty much an office job. You're going to do all your work on your computer, it's simple, and seriously, everything is self-paced, so as long as you finish your numbers for the week, you're all good. No supervisor hounding you about how many times you get up and walk around, go to the bathroom, go to your car, etc.

Also, there are lots of other perks, like discounts for your cellphone bills, discount for event tickets, food stuffs, retail, Satura Cakes (in Los Altos), etc etc and if you live in the south bay or east bay or SF, there are shuttles to take you to work ($15/week). They also have an on site mani pedi station, spa treatment station, massagers, and a mini hair salon (I know, super crazy, right?). These aren't all the perks, either.

This isn't something that you can come up to Google and ask for a position directly, because it's under a contractor, so I'll direct you to the right person. Most of the time, jobs in this section are referred by people inside the division anyways.

This is literally a one-of-a-kind job, and I guarantee that you will not find another job like this. Plus, you get to work for GOOGLE. How cool is that? Yea, pretty cool.

If you're a big fan of the Google founders, then you'll see them wander around, too. It's not easy to spot them, though. They look like any other engineer.

SO TO RECAP:
-This is a contractor's position. You're not a super direct employee of Google, but you are working under Google. Obviously, you're not going to get the same perks as a regular Googler, but they're still pretty darn nice.
- Perfect for college students, or if you're taking a break, or you want to do something easy and light that's not retail or secretary work.
- Part time is not offered.
- Hours are very reliable.
- NEED people proficient in RUSSIAN, MANDARIN, CZECH, FRENCH, GERMAN, or THAI. You will be speaking to native speakers and looking at websites in that language to confirm pieces of information for the listing you are working on.
- Needs to live around the Mountain View area, and either be able to have access to the Google shuttles or be able to have reliable transportation.
- 40 hour week. This breaks down to arrive around 7 AM, lunch 12-1 PM (or you can do half an hour), leave 4 PM, Monday to Friday. You also get holidays off.
- Pays well above California minimum wage.
- Free meals. Lots of perks.

Requirements for ideal candidate, as said by boss (updated)
-Bachelors degree minimum
-At least two years work experience
-Fluent with language
-Proficient with computers

Comments screened for your privacy.

Free video chat by Ustream

Seriously.

Anyways, today after work Alex and I went up to SF and ran around Ocean Beach. It was super cold, windy, and the sand was packed down, but the wind carried off the wet upper layer and blew the dry sand that hit our denim clad legs with little thuds. The wind also carried the foam across the sand, never letting it quite rest, and the sand wore down the seafoam as it passed, until it became nothing. I bundled myself up in a vest and a scarf, and I ran alongside the concrete wall, trying to get away from the cold. He scurried on top of the wall, gingerly placing his feet so that he wouldn't fall.

We walked across the sand, and studied our footprints.

Then we went back to the car, and got some soup in a breadbowl and a salad in the downtown mall and went home.

I was supposed to find a belt today, but I couldn't find any that I liked.

Maybe next time.

( My teensy victory )

Tomorrow, we're moving into another building.

I really really really don't like working full time and doing school full time. I feel like I'm going to get overwhelmed later on, because the real storm doesn't come until later, right? So far, I've been changing my ways, and I try to do my homework at work instead of browsing websites, checking livejournal communities, and trolling eBay and tPF. It's been working, and I feel on top of it. I guess I'm waiting to slip and get lazy.

I finally got around and ordered some of the famous BB cream that all of Asia has been raving about, and got myself a solid replacement foundation. They changed the formula since I used it, and now the shade that I had, Ivory Beige, is one of the darker shades. I got matched with Soft Beige, which is the second lightest shade, right after Vanilla. I just realized that I forgot to name the brand, so for the record, it's Chanel Double Perfection Compact.

It's not a cheap product, and I'm aware that it has talc and titanium dioxide in it, which I said that I get irritated from. However, I feel that you can't compare Chanel's talc with, I dunno, Covergirl's talc. Not all talcs are created equal!

With that said, the compact is very, very absorbing, and feels so silky. If you have dry skin, you might either want to oil yourself up, or not even bother with this, because it sucks up all the oil out of your skin. In middle and high school, I was infamous for using my napkin in my lunch to sop up my face oils, and although now it's kind of better, I'm still able to produce enough oil to maybe pan fry some veggies, as opposed to deep frying.

Upon first application, the powder looks... powdery. Even Alex said that I looked like I needed a dusting. However, after ten minutes, it sinks into your skin. I suppose that it uses your skin oils to make itself at home, and it looks so beautiful. When I went shopping and browsed around the super hot, crowded Nordstroms over the weekend (stupid once-a-year Chanel head makeup artist... curse you! I swear, next time I'm going to get one too! Ha, who am I kidding), even my sweaty face refused to move the Chanel. It turned it from matte into "glowy and dewy". Did not look oily at all. Love it.

Aside from that, I also picked up a sample of their clay mask (smells so nice, feels even better, does the job, probably will buy), and bought a new blush and a replacement red lipstick, since 1) I have NO idea where mine went, 2) Chanel's lipstick is wonderful, and 3) pretty packaging.

But reviews for those are best left for another time.

My tickets for Swan Lake came in!



And a pic of the new red lippie. I'm pretty sure it looks exactly the same as my old one, but is more expensive, and doesn't need as much product. Um, ignore that I didn't put it on evenly, I am not the best at putting on red lipstick straight from the tube; I'm better at applying it with a lip brush. Actually, I'm pretty hopeless! Pass the lip brush, please!



And I just realized something: purple+red=red hat society!

( Haven't done these in forever )

Even Alex Bui can attest to the amazingness of Louboutins.

He's tried on a bunch of heels, and worn a peep toe pair for an 8 hour workshift.

Louboutins make the best walkable high heels, and the best platform heels.

Tokidoki and MAC products.

If you want to pick it up, then you're going to have to come to me for pick up. Shipping is extra.

( Sale is under cut )
More items to come

If you're in the Bay Area, and you're looking for a very friendly sales associate, go over to Valley Fair's Nordstrom and ask for Lee Rudisill. She's super friendly, not intimidating AT ALL, very helpful and knowledgeable, and goes out of her way to help you. She's also very generous with her samples. :3

I'm going to take back what I said about my Loubs.

They *are* the most comfortable high heels I own.

I want to move on to the 5 inchers, now.

Ok.

Ban on Taco Bell and McDonalds, along with snacks at work. And soda.

And I just bought tickets for opening night to Swan Lake. Super excited for that, since that would be the first ballet I remember going to. And, I think I chose decent seats. I'm not decided where we would eat before, but we might end up eating at Hawaiian Drive In because NYE we didn't get a chance to fully enjoy our meal.

Tomorrow is the start of the quarter, and I'm not looking forward to being a full time student and full time employee again. I wish work had more shutdown days, but at least we get more money? Bah.

Anyways, should get to more product reviews.

Recently, I got MAC's Penultimate liner and Zoom Lash mascara in a set.

Both are nothing to really write home about. Penultimate is their pen eyeliner, but it doesn't work as well as my Palladio Eye Ink pen eyeliner. The color seems lighter for some reason, so I wouldn't buy it again. It also doesn't last as long as my Eye Ink.

Zoom Lash, I use for my bottom lashes. I tried it on my top lashes, and although it darkens and volumizes (not sure about lengthening), it is very heavy and doesn't hold curl very well. I think it's best for your bottom lashes, and I'm glad I got a small tube of it. However, if your eyelashes are already curly, this would be okay for you. It's not waterproof, but at least it isn't flaky or smudgy.

I started looking for foundation again, something that won't get oily on me, break me out, or look fake. I might want to get a sample of Clinique foundation or something... maybe try going back to MAC. I'm also hearing ok things about Makeup Forever's HD foundations, as well as Dior's foundations.

A lot of people notice that I like designer things.

I dont buy things to impress other people, or to prove anything.

I buy because of multiple reasons. I like the label, quality, design, or sometimes I find a deal that I *cannot* pass up with a design I like.

My shoes.

Louboutins.

Why buy shoes that are worth $595?

They're not the most comfortable shoes in the world. Nor are they the flashiest. After all, they're just another high heeled black pump. And there are A LOT of people who have no idea what brand these shoes are. These flew under my mom's radar, despite the flashy soles.

To give it credit, though, I don't have much problem breaking these in, and the heels are ridiculously sturdy and non-wobbly. No blisters, either!

No, it's the thrill of flashing red. I like that it's different.

And I want more.

I sense the beginning of an expensive addiction. Should I squash it? Or get another fabulous shoe? I'm still looking at those Pigalles, but I wouldn't say no to a nude slingback to let my toenails shine. Or even the Babel (oh dear lord, $1500 of sexiness).

I don't even feel this way about Vivienne Westwood. Maybe I wasn't so passionate about her after all.

I want to give this to my daughter.

Anyways, I'm going to get rid of my Tokidoki purse. After I clean it.

I hope everyone had an *amazing* New Years Eve! And unlike me, took pictures!

So, last night's outfit and makeup:

Sequined black vest from Express
Sheer black button down , also from Express
Black lace/mesh skirt (mid thigh) from Forever 21
Burgundy lace tights with crystal back seams from Free People
Long pearl necklace from Metropark
Black patent Decollettes from Christian Louboutin
Pocket Winter Tartan from Vivienne Westwood

Long extensions in Natural Black, curled

Falsies by Darkness
Smokey eye by Dior in Black Out Look (matte black, white pearl)
some light foundation
Peaches blush by MAC
Sculpt and Shape powder by MAC
nudey pink lips by MAC (concealer) and Chanel (lipgloss)

( Our dinner )