16 March 2010

A Girl's Girl

Women's Wear Daily quoted Victoria Beckham saying,

"I'm an open book. I don't mind what anyone asks me. I'm a real girl's girl."

While I totally agree, that I aspire to embody all things womanly--a classic style, poise, & charm--I will be the first to say that I'm not that girly. I love girly things like fashion, manicures, shoes... but I just never learned about those things early on. I can't put up my own hair or do my make up beyond eyeliner and mascara. Much like how I love food and cannot cook for my life.

So like any girl, I love being pampered. Shortly after I chopped off all my hair, I visited the Nars counter at Saks. It was part of my resolution for this year to create a new look for myself, especially since I was moving to California. I explained to Victor that I was a real novice when it came to cosmetics and as I attemped to answer his questions about what I like to use or what kind of look I wanted, I was relieved when he finally got the hint that I really didn't know what was good for me. He picked out colors that I would never choose myself and patiently taught me how to take a look from day to night. I was amazed that even I could pull off a smokey eye! Make up really does wonders! He wrote down everything he used and drew a diagram of where to use what.

I even asked him to jot down the tools he used because I thought they really made a difference. While Victor didn't push me to buy any of these fancy things (he knew I had just come looking for a new eye shadow, and plus he wanted me to perfect using that first), I wanted remember the exact brushes so that I could get them whenever I was ready. As I mentioned in my last post, he used a flat liner brush and a domed smudge brush. I know that Nars isn't cheap but being that I'm unemployed and until I'm really making bank, I don't plan on shelling out almost $60 for two make up brushes.

So I began a search for some more affordable brushes. I turned to Sephora, of course, and found these two at basically half the price. Not bad. But then! I found this!


Sephora Double-Ended Smokey Eye Brush $18

For just a few bucks more I could have both brushes in one! The liner end might be angled but it's okay, the brushes are purple! I was excited about my find and had to share!

12 March 2010

10 Things I Can't Wait To Do in SF!

10. Go to the Farmer's Market at the Ferry Building and pick up some fresh flowers & baguettes! My Ferry Building visits have been nicer than I imagined but I never make it during market hours.

9. Try a tasty cupcake from That Takes the Cake! I've only tried Cako on O'Farrell and it is pretty scrumptious!

8. Binge on an In-N-Out Burger! Animal style! Nom nom! :D

7. Hunt for the yummiest egg tart and pork buns in San Francisco's Chinatown! I made an attempt at this one day but I'm not sure I found the 'yummiest' yet!

6. Stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge. :)

5. Find a pilates class or a tennis court so I can stay fit! I found the perfect workout! Now I just have to get myself to go! :P

6. Take a class at the Culinary Institute in Napa. Mmm!

7. Create some DIY art for my future apartment.

8. I still haven't ridden a cable car yet!

9. Spend a day at the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park. I've walked through the park, but haven't made my way through the garden.

10. Maybe try learning some samba or rhumba!

San Francisco is my opportunity to pursue all the things I've wanted for myself. Hobbies and interests, this is my time to do me.

[Edit]: I totally forgot about posting this and now I'm sad that more than a month has past since I originally wrote it. What's even more depressing is that I haven't been able to do most of that yet! I actually started a post about my favorite things in SF when I noticed this one, so stay tuned for that one! 04.23.10