Write Now, Right Here

A Light At the End of the Tunnel (always)

2008-07-30T02:27:00.008-07:00

Here is an email I received which presents the beautiful saying "There is always a light at the end of the tunnel". This wonderful, inspiring idea can also be said "Every cloud has a silver lining".
Note: The story, comics and poem below is not by me. I don't really know who wrote it, I received it in an email.

Whatever your cross,

whatever your pain,

there will always be sunshine,

after the rain ....

Perhaps you may stumble,

perhaps even fall,

But God's always ready,

To answer your call ...

He knows every heartache,

sees every tear,

A word from His lips,

can calm every fear ...

Your sorrows may linger,

throughout the night,

But suddenly vanish,

in dawn's early light ...

The Savior is waiting,

somewhere above,

To give you His grace,

and send you His love...

Whatever your cross,

whatever your pain,

"God always sends rainbows ....

after the rain ... "

I just wanted to share this inspiring message.I hope this brings a smile to your face.

Ribbons

2007-08-28T06:33:00.000-07:00

Ribbons play an important role in (almost) everyday life. Being a flexible material to express creativity with, it was appealing before and it is still appealing today. A simple strand of colored threads can be made into something wonderful. Not many people posses a talent for doing magic on ribbons, although many try it as a hobby, not all have the love for mixing and matching different ribbons. I think that I do not have the ability and type of creativity to work on ribbons but I still find it interesting. My mother loves ribbons and she mixes and matches it for our store. I accompany her on her ribbon triumphs but I do not look at ribbons the way she does. Although many people out there (like me) are interested and like ribbons not everyone love it.

1History

The first sign of ribbons was used by the Egyptians it was the basis of their clothing. A ribbon, or at least strips of cloth, was used to hold up their lower garments. These strips of fabric were also used around the waist to give some shape to a garment. The more complicated and unique the clothe the higher the status of the wearer, in other terms a plain piece of clothing were for slave as more elaborate pieces were for wealthier people. This way of dressing continued on towards the Greek and Roman eras.

In the Middle Ages people began to use more elaborate designs for clothing. At that time the bodice was widely used, it was fastened tightly to the back using ribbons. In the twelfth century the skirts had become fuller and had more designs and pleats than before. At the beginning of the fourteenth century there was a growing difference in men and women’s clothing. At this time clothing was tighter and figure-hugging that ever. Hairstyles and headdresses also changed in style from old ways of hairdressing to more modern ways. By the sixteenth century Henry VIII loved richly decorated garments and headdresses, and to protect himself and the court from being copied by everyone he introduced the legislation preventing anyone but royalty and aristocracy from wearing decorative embroidery. At this time shoes were also elaborately decorated with rosette ribbons and ladies styled their hair with the use of ribbons. The ribbon fashion was greatly demonstrated by Queen Elizabeth I, whose was always decorated with ribbons, bows and embroidery.
As garments evolved to petticoats and stockings with breeches all of it were usually seen with ribbons. Ribbons were used everywhere from gowns to hair, bonnets to shoes, sashes and rosettes it was even used on children. Ribbons were for the first time used in curtains and cushions.

2Ribbons were produced in a dazzling variety of weaves and colors; plain, striped, checked, waters, shot, shaded, and figures ribbons were all widely available.
England was at the epicenter of ribbon production and seized its chance for industry. Ribbon manufacturers prospered and ribbons were shipped to France, London and Italy. At this time ribbons were loomed weaved and the introduction of the Dutch Engine Loom made it possible for weavers to weave four ribbons at a time.
The demand for ribbons increased and it almost became and industry in itself in coastal villages but yet the demands were still not met.
Then cam the two year craze of scallop-edged ribbon, but when the death of a Member of the Royal Family would make the fashion world mourn with black.
Then department stores sprang up and fashion was no longer about nobility as it had been before. Off-the-rack clothes were available for the very first time. And two items in almost every woman’s wardrobes was the parasol and wide-brimmed hat, both were ornately decorated with bows and ribbons. Handbags was now introduced to the world and was decorated with…what else…ribbons. Ribbon factories were made using engine looms and ribbons were being traded around the world.
From the 1930s ribbons has lost its role in fashion but still stays true to gift-wrapping. Nowadays the world is rediscovering the ribbon crafts.

3, 1Basics

A. Types of Ribbons
There are different types of ribbons sorted by styles, colors and textures varying by width. It is purchased by yard or by meter or reels. There are ribbons for clothes which have selvages sewed onto the sides. While some have wires woven into them to help shape the bows but most gift ribbons are non-woven with sealed edges that don’t ravel. Different ribbons are available for different uses, prices being more expensive for high-quality used in clothes and décor which last long, while cheaper ones are used for gift-wrapping sold in boutiques.
1. Satins
Satin ribbons are glossy, shiny and smooth which can be single or double faced, it comes in so many colors, patterns and finishes, it is a flexible ribbon which can be used anywhere.
2. Taffetas
Taffeta ribbons have a fine, smooth, cloth-like weave that results in making it reversible. Often copper wires are woven into its edges to shape the taffeta into different shapes. Widely available in different styles, colors and patterns, a bit more expensive than stain ribbons.
3. Grosgrains
The weave pattern of this type of ribbon finishes with a crosswise rib. It is strong and is available in a wide range of colors and patterns.
4. Jacquards
A ribbon with a design woven into it, looking like a mini tapestry. The woven designs could be different colors creating different designs. Jacquards are much more expensive than taffetas.
5. Sheers
Translucent ribbons which creates girly effects. Available in different colors and designs sometime there is a wire woven into its sides.
6. Velvets
Like an ordinate velvet fabric velvet ribbons are velvets cut into ribbon size and sewed at the sides. Soft and smooth with deeper colors.
7. Etc.
Ribbons used for crafts and gift-wrapping. Like a double sided ribbon, shiny on one side and rough on the other side; curling ribbons specially made to be curled for gift packages.
B. Ribbon Roses
There are different ways to make a ribbon rose or rosette. You can use a taffeta with wires. Pull one wire and gather it the shape of a rose, hold with a piece of wire. Or you can sew it using a needle and thread. Make petal folds and stitch it into place, this can also be done on a wire stem.
C. Ribbon Weaving
Like the weaving I made when I was a kid using art paper, only it is made with ribbons. The usual under, over, under, over weaving, used to make quilts and best made with different colors. There are also more complicated weaves like the patchwork weave, the zigzag weave and the tumbling blocks weave.
D. Ribbon Embroidery
Like any other embroidery only the stitches are worked in ribbon not thread. The usual stitches are used to create life like replicas of original objects. The running stitch, the French knot, the lazy daisy stitch, the chain stitch, the blanket stitch, the cross stitch, the back stitch and the slip stitch. And the most unique is the spider’s web rose best made with ribbons because it creates the most life like effect.
E. Simple Ribbon Bows
Made by tying ribbons to create shapes and keep things in place. There is the shoestring, like the way everyone ties their shoes; a tailored or dior bow, made of almost flat , stacked loops that graduate by size; then there is the pompom bow, which is the most common gift-wrapping bow, it is the pompom-like ribbon that is usually used at boutique wrapping stations; and last but not the least is the curled style, which is done using curling ribbon that is curled using the blunt end of a scissor.
F. Ribbons used for Decoration
Ribbons can also be sewed on pieces of cloth for decoration, creating a lot of different patterns. Used mostly on pillowcases, placemats, bags, lamps, jeans and hats.

A way of expressing creativity (through wrapping)
Ribbons these days are now like paints and pencils, using and creating something with it is already an art. Considered and used greatly by some people as a way of living. Many people specialize in making ribbon works while some are professional gift wrappers. Just like beadwork ribbon work is considered a modern craft with a vintage twist.

4 Nowadays there are new ways to modernize gift wrapping, like in the book Let’s Wrap by Linda Summerlin, it suggested very creative ideas. The book suggested layering pieces of different patternes paper; it gave ideas to use different, unique wrapping paper like, maps, comic book pages, aluminum foil, magazine pages and old sheet music. The book also suggested adhering odds and ends, related to the gift inside the package, such as stickers, old toys, ornaments, frames, beads and masks; using leftover materials and recycling old materials, you can reuse art paper cutouts as a layered wrapping paper; you can even customize labels and wrapping papers using your computer, you don’t need a special software to do that just as long as you can use Microsoft Word then it is as easy as 1-2-3; and the most common and easy way is to add a ribbon, because ribbons never lost its style to me.

I am going to use an old hair scrunchie to decorate a hard copy of this post and a drawing I made, for my mom’s birthday. I hope that after reading this introduction to ribbons and wrapping that your creativity can soar for wrapping greater and more unique gifts for your friends and family.

*This post is specially written for my mother with love and inspiration, on her birthday August 28, 2007. Dedicated to her passion for ribbons, Happy Birthday Mom, now you know a lot more about ribbons you love!!

*Researched from (books) New Crafts Ribbon Work by Christine Kingdom, Let’s Wrap by Linda Summerlin, Creative Bows Made Easy by Offray, and Quick and Easy Wrapping by Yoshiko Hase, all bought from amazon.com.

1Researched from New Crafts Ribbon Work by Christine Kingdom and (photographs) by Peter Williams, Produced by Anness Publishing Limited.

2 Taken from New Crafts Ribbon Work by Christine Kingdom and (photographs) by Peter Williams, published by Anness Publishing Limited.

3 Researched from Creative Bows Made Easy By Offray published by Creative Publishing International.

4 Researched from Let’s Wrap by Linda Summerlin published by Absolute Press.

Interesting Things I have heard, saw, read and thought about this week

2007-08-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

Everyday we think about things that are easily forgotten. Things usually taken for granted, the specialty and uniqueness of everyday things we see in our lives. Accepting our own ignorance and lack of knowledge is difficult by human nature. No one can blame you for saying “Oh yeah I knew that” to someone although you never heard of that thing. We learn new things everyday and if we can take some time to look back at what we learned we may just say that we have filled a little piece of our life’s puzzle. So what if someone every now and then complains about me, as long as I am doing my best and learning what I do not know, I am becoming more and more myself.

So here I am writing what I have achieved and learned over this week.

I saw two movies which were rich in history, Marco Polo and Nomad, which both took place somewhere in or near China. Nowadays China is earning a bad reputation for low quality products which are being recalled all around the world. Maybe it is because of the low salaries there, but I learned that a long, long time ago, in the Khan dynasty China was powerful; they were rich, modern and very advanced. They were the first to use coal, create a compass, make tea and use acupuncture as a way of healing. So maybe I just learned that now and many people knew it a long time ago, but I am happy to know much more about things. The second movie, Nomad, was about Kazakhstan and their defeat of the Chinese. Bravery and working together was what made the Kazakhstani win over their enemies.

This week I also finished the book I was reading, Tears Of The Giraffe From the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, which is centered in Botswana, Africa. It follows the story and life of curious and interesting Precious Ramotswe, the owner and proprietor of Africa’s No.1 Ladies Detective Agency . Mma (Precious) Ramotswe is smart (although not scientifically) in life’s things she is curious and looks at the world in such an unusual angle. It is quite fun to see her point of view in ordinary (and sometime not so ordinary) events of life.
To know what you have learned and found out about in your life I suggest some time to reassess and think about what is going on. For me I always have a notebook (or piece of paper) and pen with me so I can write down( and post)what I learned in my life. Thinking time usually comes in the form of me sitting on my desk with a pen and paper. And my habits and thoughts usually lead to Feature posts (in my blog) inspired by real life experiences.

*Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith is the second book of the series The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency.

* Marco Polo stars Lost’s Ian Somerhalder. Has no official website.

* Nomad stars Goal’s Kuno Becker, Jay Hernandez. Has no official website.

My Art Attempts

2007-08-19T07:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I sifted through my old books and found something worth a try. I have been keeping myself busy, not with writing (which I have neglected for days) but with art. I have to say that I always admire art especially watercolor. The way a watercolor painter can intensify and replicate three-dimensional objects on a flat piece of paper using only a brush, colors and water, is just awe-inspiring. I always had fun challenging myself with anything new so now I pushed myself to draw and paint works of (presentable) art. The book I found was a self-teaching book titled How to Paint and Draw by: Angela Gair and New Holland Publishers, I learned the difference between hatching and cross-hatching, the four kinds of pastels, drawing and painting techniques and much more.
Although I only tried four projects from the book I succeed in three and (not completely) failed in one. Here are some basic materials and techniques I read(from the book) and used in my art attempts.

MATERIALS

I. Pencils
Well almost everyone knows that pencils are the most basic thing used in art. It is your guide to doing almost anything. It can be used to make a complete work of art all by itself or it can be used to help and guide you while you are using another material.

Graphite pencils are divided by two the H and B systems according to its softness or hardness. The hard ones range from 9H (the hardest) to H and are used to make fine detail in drawings. And the soft ones are 8B(the softest) to B is used to make broad lines.. HB is a combination of soft and hard and is most suited for everyday use.

II. Charcoal
Although I only used charcoal to darken pencil lines in paintings it can be used to make a drawing all by its own. Charcoal is mostly used in shading pencil sketches. There is the hard and soft charcoal. Hard charcoal does not smudge easily, better suited for dark details, while soft ones smudge fast, and is best for creating dark to light shades. Charcoals can be bought as sticks or charcoal pencils (charcoals encased in wood like a pencil).

III. Pastels
The equivalent of a colored charcoal, pastels are usually used to create smudged effects in drawing. Its fine edges are used to create details while its entire side is used to cover a large amount of space in drawings.

There are four types of pastels. The soft pastel is most widely used because its colors are brilliant and it has a great finishing effect. They are easily applied and can be smudged easily. The hard pastel is not like the soft pastel; its colors are less brilliant while it is not that easy to smudges. Pencil pastels are thin pastels encased in wood (like an ordinary pencil) and does not crumble or break, best for details. Then the oil pastel is totally different from the traditional ones. It makes thick, buttery strokes and its colors are clear and bright.

IV. Colored Pencils
Increasing in popularity because it’s flexible to use, it can be transported easily which makes it a portable medium. It can be overlaid to create visual effects and it can also be used in shading like and ordinary pencil.

Water-soluble pencils are like the colored pencils but its can be used as an ordinary colored pencil or it can be blended (using a paintbrush dipped in water) to blend colors together. You draw and shade with it first then add water to it to transform it into watercolor.

V. Paper
I used watercolor paper and Oslo paper for my paintings and an ordinary sketchbook for drawings. There is no need to worry about unnecessary things you just have to remember that it should be thick enough for painting or just right for drawing.

VI. Paints and brushes
Since I don’t like to use acrylic and oil paints (it is included in the book) so I used my favorite, watercolors. Watercolors can be applied dry or wet which makes it flexible to use. Dry is used to create intense details while wet is used to cover big spaces, create washes and combine colors. Watercolor is available in tubes and pans. Tube colors have more brilliancy and richness than pans and tubes are well suited for covering large amounts of space.

Brushes are also classified to its uses. There are watercolor brushes, acrylic brushes, oil brushes and ink brushes. But since I was using watercolor I used watercolor brushes, which are softer and smoother than the other brushes. It comes in different sizes (from 0000 to 14) very big ones for covering large areas, medium ones for all around use and very thin ones for details. There are also different brush shapes. The round ones which is a tear drop shape and finishes to point. It is used for details and small areas. While the square shaped is flat and wide it forms a square. It is used for covering big spaces. I only used four types one small, round brush for details, a large, square, flat one for washes and a medium sized flat and round one for all around work.

VII. Erasers and sharpeners

TECHNIQUES I LEARNED (and used)

To better use my material I practiced with it on a piece of paper, learning how to control it and discovering what it can do.

Pencils can hatch and cross hatch (fast flicks and shading) it can also create very fine detail or make quick, light, feathery sketches. Colored pencils can be overlapped to create a mix of colors. While water soluble pencils can act as colored pencils it can also be used as watercolor creating a bright and sun touched effect. And pastels and charcoals can be smudged and mixed.

What I learned to do with my hands and creativity was something I treasured and plan to use soon in the future. And I try to remember that inspiration and imagination is also one of my basic materials.

*Resources: How To Paint and Draw by Angela Gair, New Holland Press

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-08-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I finished reading the newly released, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by: J.K. Rowling. The last installment to the famous tale of Harry Potter. In the last book, Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince, we learned that Voldemort (the dark evil lord) divided his soul into six horcruxes. Horcruxes are objects that hold the soul of a human being, this can only be done if a wizard or witch does a painful ritual of tearing your soul and putting it in a non living thing. In the end of the 6^th novel Harry promised Dumbledore (his late professor and protector)that he would find and destroy all 4 horcruxes (since 2 were already destroyed).

Our story starts out in the Dursley’s home (Harry’s uncle and aunt) where Harry explains to his aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and cousin Dudley that they should go away to a safe place for their protection. After finally leaving with two Order members (The Order of the Phoenix is a group of wizard and witches formed by Dumbledore who goes against Voldemort). Then all of Harry’s closest friends and Order members come and devise a plan to get him out safely. But the plan is known by Voldemort and they lose one valuable member and one of Ron’s brother loses an ear.

After staying in the Burrow (the Weasley’s home) and helping prepare Bill and Fleur’s wedding. When the big day comes is when the Ministry is taken over by Voldemort. So Harry, Hermione and Ron escape to an alley where they are found by Death Eaters (Voldemort’s servants) barely escaping with their lives the trio hide at Sirius’s (Harry’s godfather who died in book 5) old house, Grimmauld Place.

They spend some time there figure out that one of the horcruxes is in the house. After asking the elf there they find out that someone stole it. After finding the thief they find out that someone inside the ministry have it. So after a disastrous break-in to the ministry they found the horcrux but had no way of destroying it. Learning to live in a tent, moving from place to place the three discover the mysteries and history of Albus Dumbledore while along the way finding out what the other horcruxes are and how to destroy it. After having more than 5 close calls the trio end up destroying 1 horcrux , finding another but losing the thing to destroy it. Going into Hogwarts and finding out that they still have some loyal followers there and a battle rages on to buy Harry some time to find the horcruxes. In the end Harry defeats Voldemort and gains the respect of the entire wizarding world.

HORCRUXES

explained before horcruxes are pieces of a human’s soul torn from its body, in a painful ritual and placed in a non living object. Voldemort made 6 horcruxes and Harry has set out on a journey to destroy it all. Horcruxes can only be destroyed by a very few things the sword of Godric Gryffindor, basilisk fangs and some very powerful dark magic.

THE DEATHLY HALLOWS

The hallows are three powerful objects created by Death himself (as the story goes, although
some believe that the three brothers who received it made it themselves). The Invisibilty Cloak, the Resurrection Stone and the Elder Wand (also known as deathstick, wand of destiny). Harry already has the invisibility cloak inherited from his father. The elder wand is searched by Voldemort. And the resurrection stone is in Harry’s hands but does not know how to acquire it from its complicated case. The hallows play a big part in the final battle against Voldemort.

DUMBLEDORE AND SNAPE’S SECRETS

Dumbledore’s death was really planned between Snape and Dumbledore. Because when Dumbledore was killed he was already dying. Snape was also a spy for Dumbledore he did this to protect Harry, who is the son of the only woman he loved, Harry’s mother. Dumbledore also left Snape one last request before he died, Snape should tell Harry a shocking discovery. Harry is also a horcrux although he does not know this. When Harry’s parents were killed Harry was protected by his mother’s death so when Voldemort hit him with a killing curse it rebounded and hit Voldemort instead. When Voldemort was hit a piece of his soul was taken away and ended up inside Harry. So Harry must die to defeat Voldemort.

For a more detailed story I suggest you read the book and discover how compelling and addictive the Harry Potter plot is.

The Gremlin

2007-07-31T06:17:00.000-07:00

Today, I discovered the gremlin. Curious about it I researched it from the internet and I found out a lot about its origin.

Today wasn’t the first time I heard the word gremlin. I read it before when I was 6 in my old nintendo game boy as a game. In that game I played a short goblin-like creature with big ears and a knack for jumping. After asking my parents I understood that it was a fictional creature in a movie which I never saw nor heard.

Today, in a discussion with my family the gremlin was brought up again. My mom explained that it was a creature in an old movie named Gremlins. My mother also said that in the movie gremlins would multiply when wet.

So after some research online I found more about the gremlin.

The term gremlin was first used in the 1920s. Used by aircraft pilots to explain mysterious engine malfunctions. Some pilots claim they really saw a short flying thing tamper with the equipment.

So today gremlins are now considered as fictional creature that appear to have an interest with tampering airplanes, although no one knows why airplanes in particular.

In 1942 Roald Dahl published a novel titled The Gremlins. In the story he named baby gremlins “widgets” while females are called “fifinellas”. Widgets have no gender until they are teens and only one out of ten widgets evolve into fifinellas while others turns to males.

When the manuscript was finished Dahl sent it to Walt Disney. When it was in Disney’s hands they tried to materialize it into a film. But it soon failed and was published in a December 1942 issue of Cosmopolitan. Then after a few months it was revised into a picture book published by Random House. Then in issue #33 - #41 of Disney’s Comics and Stories contained a 9 episode silent story featuring a Gremlin Gus as their star.

After being introduced to the comic world gremlins were appearing in movies and cartoons. Gremlins first had its big screen appearance in an episode of Bugs Bunny, wherein they were portrayed as little nuisances who enjoyed wreaking havoc. They then appeared in an episode of Twilight Zone: Nightmare at 20,000 feet featured a gremlin attacking the plane. It was then turned into a movie Twilight Zone: The Movie.

Gremlins are seen as folkloric creatures in video games, fantasy literature and role playing games.

Another famous big screen appearance of the gremlin was in the 1084 movie Gremlins. Which is about a boy who has a pet mogwai (baby gremlin). Mogwais are not to be fed after midnight, don’t expose them to sunlight and they should never be wet. But when accident after accident happens gremlins attack the town. Its sequel Gremlins 2: A New Batch was about the same boy, Billy, who now lives in New York. He works for a company who buys businesses. When the current owner, Mr. Wing, of the Mogwai Billy used to own, Gizmo, sold his shop to the company Billy works for. But before he can do so Mr. Wing dies of a natural death Gizmo is taken by the company where it is examined and experimented with. When accidents happen new mutated Gremlins (thanks to experiments in the lab) invade New York and it is up to Billy and his girlfriend to stop it.

Nowadays, gremlins are said to be fictional and imaginary creature who like to wreak havoc especially in airplanes. Living in our imaginations Gremlins are like the more modern versions of goblins, elves, dwarves, gnomes and trolls. Gremlins are nothing to be feared of and nothing to be loved.

Hydrangeas:The flowers of summer

2007-07-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

I am a subscriber and avid reader of the magazine Martha Stewart Living (marthastewartliving.com). Today my August issue arrived and on the cover was the most beautiful flower I have ever seen. With one look I fell in love with the special bloom. I quickly turned the pages and found the article titled MASS APPEAL written by: Douglas Brenner and photographed by: Christopher Baker. The flower was called a hydrangea or in its scientific name hydrangea macrophylla.

After reading the article in Martha Stewart Living August 2007 issue, Mass Appeal, I decided to write about what I learned about this gorgeous flower.

Lacy, blowsy, blossomy, cloudlike and full of life for me it is a sure sign of youth, happiness and summer. With a warm look hydrangeas come in a lively summer palette, consisting of dark and light shades of purple, pink, blue, red, green and white. Abundantly seen in flower shops between (summer) Easter and Mother’s Day the hydrangea is an intricate flower wherein every flower is different and unique.

In 1994 hydrangeas were disregarded and merely taken for granted, nowadays there are more than 300 types available and some are even hybrid to last in the rain. With the terms mop heads, lace capes and panicle used to describe its shape and petals there are now new blooms that look like snowflakes, cascades and water lilies.

Hydrangeas bloom in different colors depending on the minerals present within the soil it is planted in. The PH levels, acidity and alkalinity, in soils determine its color. If the soli is acidic (PH 0-7) the plant tends to have shades of deep blue. While, if the plant is high in alkaline (PH 7-14) the bloom turns to pink and red shades.

Hydrangeas last long even when it is already cut off from its stem as long as you take care of it and put in a vase with water. Hydrangeas are not only seen in the summer but bloom until autumn and tend to bloom less in colder months. No matter what your personality is there is hydrangea somewhere worth falling for, since there is always a hydrangea to suit everyone.

*Pictures from marthastewartliving.com*

*Researched from marthastewartliving.com and Martha Stewart Living August 2007 issue*

*Original article in Martha Stewart Living by: Douglas Brenner, Pictures photographed by: Christopher Baker*

Home Grooming Your Dog

2007-07-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

You might think that only long haired dogs need grooming but to tell you the truth short haired dogs still need some hair care. Although, grooming short haired dogs is much easier that long haired ones. After an expensive trip to the groomers I promised myself the next time my dog is due for a haircut I will do it myself.

BRUSHING (researched from http://dogchannel.com/dog-health/article_21714.aspx)

I have to confess, I am very lazy in brushing my dogs. My toy poodle already has so many mats of tangled hair around her body. And my Labrador’s coat is collecting dust. So today I set some time to clean up my act and do it for the dog’s sake. But I only brushed her well enough to run the razor through but not enough to take away the huge mats of tangled hair. So after my tiring work I went to the internet and found this article on dogchannel.com about the things to keep in mind when brushing you dogs. I regret not researching about it yesterday but I promised to myself that I would keep the things I learned in mind the next time I groom by dogs. And I wanted you to prevent this mistake by sharing what I have learned with you thanks to dogchannel.com.

Here are the important things I learned to keep in mind from dog channel’s brushing article. Match the brush to the dog’s hair type a long haired dog should use a wire brush and a short haired dog should use a rubber brush. Brush your dog before bathing it, I already knew that. Have a brushing pattern it said that it is best to start from the hind quarters and up towards the head. Concentrate on one layer of the coat, I learned this the hard way since I brushed it all together and I made my dog a new mat of tangled hair. Take your time, brushing your takes a lot of patience and time. Comb after brushing just to make sure that all the tangles are tangled away, I just combed it which led to a worse situation than where I started. Clip badly matted hair, this tip I followed very well since the mats on my dogs hair were not combed away but trimmed away, which led to some sections of hair that is shorter and some which were way longer. And last but not the least, I learned to talk to your dog and praise her for behaving well.

TRIMMING (NAILS AND HAIR)

I did not find any article on the internet about trimming your dog that proved useful. So instead of relaying the facts from online I am sharing with you the facts I learned on my own (through mistakes and achievements).

Trimming your dog’s nails is the most difficult task of dog grooming. You are taking the risk of actually hurting your dog. Cutting it to short you might cut off a part of the vein in her nail and not cutting it at all can also cause some pain to your dog. I already saw my little dog bleed twice when the groomer trimmed her nails. Now after a month of neglecting it you can hear a clip, clap, clip, clap sound when she walks. I have finally decided to take her to the first groomer we brought her to, which was careful not to hurt her. After seeing her bleed from trimming her nails I would never dare to do it myself. So I would suggest bringing your dog to a groomer for this special task.

Trimming your dog’s hair is not quite as dangerous as trimming their nails. I would suggest an electronic razor or you can always use a sharp hair scissor. I used both. Start from the back of your dog moving all the way up to its head. Use an electronic razor for the back so that it would be faster and not uneven. And you can either use a scissor or razor for their hair. Be careful when trimming near their eyes. And also be very careful when using a scissor because you might hit their skin underneath the hair. Be especially careful when trimming near their ears don’t use a razor near this part.

The most important thing to remember when trimming is to be careful with the sharp objects.

BATHING (researched from http://dogchannel.com/dog-health/dog-grooming/article_17569.aspx)

I bathe my dog like the way I bathe myself. Wet, lather, rinse, and dry. It is as easy as that. No one would think that you could encounter any problem while bathing. But here are some things I have learned from the article in dogchannel.com and in my experiences. Long haired dogs need to be brushed before and after bathing, I only brushed before which is wrong. Make sure to wet hair thoroughly and use warm water. Make sure that your dog is well lathered and that the whole body is bubbling especially in those hard to reach areas (armpits, belly and rear ends). Be sure that your dog is rinsed well because leftover suds can cause irritation. Always towel your dog even if you use a hairdryer. Long haired dogs need good brushing and drying with a hairdryer, use the cold setting on the hairdryer to avoid burning your dog’s skin. I made a mistake with this and used the hot setting thinking the cold would make her shiver. From experience be careful when you are washing near your dog’s ear, because when water gets inside it, it may cause infection or maybe even deafness (to what I have heard).

KEEPING CLEAN WHILE GROOMING (researched from http://dogchannel.com/dog-health/dog-grooming/article_21807.aspx)

Here are my things to be aware of when grooming your dog at home to avoid more mess. Use an apron when grooming to keep the hair off your clothes. It will also help if you have a grooming outfit that you can wear without worrying about dirtying it. Have many absorbent cotton towels set out for drying your dog. Have a trashcan near for emergencies. And from myself tie your dog to something while trimming or if your dog is small place her on top of a table to keep her stable.

Ratatouille (rat-a-too-ee)

2007-07-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Disney Pixar Animation Studios presents to us a new film, Ratatouille read as rat-a-too-ee, which is about a rat who dreams of becoming a chef.

I have long been waiting for this movie and when my father finally succeeded in his online movie downloading, my family and I quickly watched it on the computer screen (since we cant burn it into a DVD yet). After seeing the trailer in a movie house I was expecting something very nice from it like the other Pixar movies. And what I got from Ratatouille last night was way more than I had expected.

I have always adored the Pixar movies because of its touching stories and wonderful animation. But for me that best of all their newest movies (The Incredibles, Cars, Finding Nemo, A Bugs Life) is Ratatouille. I was so impressed by the unique storyline and ideas that it makes it have that very special aura, the special aura that very few movies have. You know the feeling you get when you see a movie trailer or picture and you have that feeling in your mind “I think this is going to be nice” well that is how I felt when I saw Ratatouille’s trailer. I was thinking “I KNOW this is going to be nice”. Ever since that time I was kept on my feet awaiting the special movie I was so excited about. And then I saw it last night.

One of the elements that make Ratatouille so special is its unique and unusual characters. The star of the movie is Remy, a rat. Remy starts out as a usual rat that scavenges the garbage and steals food. But Remy has a special talent for sniffing out things and ingredients. He can tell you what a dish is made of by just wiggling his nose at it. So because of this special talent his father assigns him the job as food sniffer, in other words he sniffs the food of other rats before they eat it, since Remy can detect rat poison in foods. When Remy went to a human’s house he saw a cooking show of Gusteau , a famous French chef. He then starts dreaming about becoming a famous French chef, he experiments with food that he cooks, reads Gusteau’s cookbook, starts walking on his two rear legs so that his front paws will be kept clean for cooking and no longer eats the food his father serves. Remy now sees himself as a maker not a taker.

When Remy goes to the humans house he finds out that when a very picky food critique eats at Gusteau’s the restaurant loses one of its five stars. After a few days the grief stricken Gusteau dies. Then as Remy finds out an unfortunate accident happens in their home and exposes them to the human. So the entire group of rats escapes on leaf boat towards the sewers, but when Remy goes back to retrieve Gusteau’s cookbook he gets left behind. Lost in that dark, forbidden sewer he starts to imagine that the caricature of Gusteau in his cookbook starts talking to him. He finally decides to go up to the surface and ends up in Paris, France specifically in Gusteau’s restaurant. After seeing the place he starts to mix up a bowl of soup but gets caught by the humans.

Pleading for his life Remy is set free by the garbage boy, Linguini, under a deal, he helps Linguini cook. When the two of them finally work out a system so that Remy can control Linguini’s actions (by pulling his hair like marionette strings) they try to restore Gusteau’s to its former glory.

When Linguini arrived he gave the head chef a letter from his mother who was Gusteau’s wife. After some DNA tests it turns out that Linguini is Gusteau’s biological son. He then inherits the entire restaurant. When there is an emergency Remy recruits his family and they help him satisfy Ego a strict food critique. But when a health inspector sees that rats are cooking in the kitchen the restaurant goes down. But in the end they have their own Bistro named Ratatouille and is connected to Remy’s family.

Another thing that makes Ratatouille special is the animation of Pixar. Their character’s characteristic and their heartwarming story of loyalty to pets.

Email: Bad or Good?

2007-07-27T01:20:00.000-07:00

One day after I heard a discussion on TV about people these days who are relying to much on modern technology. The discussion was specifically focused on electronic mail or e-mail for short. I don’t know why the speaker was talking mostly about e-mails but what he had just said had sparked some thought in me.

The discussion about e-mail was that people who rely on e-mail to much may have a hard time socializing with people in person whereas they can get the advantage of it by receiving and sending messages to anyone in the world, whether they met person or not, anytime of the day.

So I sat down and gave it some thought. E-mails both have its pros and cons but if you avoid getting too much of both you can actually use it healthily.

The good part of using e-mails is that you can send unlimited messages to anyone around the globe and receive it anytime of the day. It is like sending snail mail to people around the globe but with e-mail you don’t pay for anything, you don’t need to write it down and you receive your replies faster than any mail carrier can bring. Although you don’t receive your e-mail replies as fast as text messaging (unless you turn on your computer 24 hours a day) it is still more convenient and faster that ordinary mail. Also, in e-mailing people no one can tell if you made up the excuse to get out of some boring online club. And the best thing about using e-mails is that you are honing your skills to express yourself in paper (or screen), and it was always faster and less tiring to type that to write.

But, e-mail also has it downs. By using the e-mail to much you can lose social skills and be ashamed and reposed in a time when you have to talk to a person face to face. It was always a part of growing up before (when there were no computers) that you know how to talk to a person properly. No mumbling, no fidgeting, don’t swallow your words, eye to eye, keep your head up. Those were the things you need to keep in mind when you are talking to someone before, out of respect and courtesy of the person you are talking to. Nowadays, some (not all) modern people look down when elders talk to them and just mumble out their words. I always try to avoid doing so even though it takes all the will in me to respect people. Although, modern skills, such as typing, are sought after in jobs communicating skill are never out of use.

I think the answer to this never-ending debate is that everyone who is concerned should balance both person to person speaking and e-mailing. Because with both balanced you can succeed better.

The Things I Do For A Dog

2007-07-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

Curlina or Curly for short, is my pet dog . She is a toy poodle- shitzu mix breed with not a hint of curly hair. Only costing me 4000 pesos (8o US dollars) which pretty cheap for such a life changing purchase.

After buying her informally (no receipt no change you have to give the EXACT amount) we dropped her into a box covered with a cheap blanket. I remember getting her out of the box and having trouble with her very long nails which had clawed into the blanket. I also remember asking her former owner what her name is "Angel" he said I looked surprised and taken aback, thinking my name is quite appropriate for a dog. "What a coincidence" I told her sarcastically when we reached home" we have the same names". But before we even knew she existed my family had a deal that we would name our next dog, Curlina, in memory of my mother's very loyal toy poodle who died in 2001 and was a very well remembered dog. Ever since that very special day Cutie Marie Curlina has lived up to her name and history. (left: Curlina only a few months old)

Not yet a year old she already developed a very close tie to my family and me. Only 6 inches tall and weighing 9 lbs. Having earned so many names and nicknames such as cutie marie, princess, baby and any adjective+marie (pretty marie, baby marie, princess marie). The Marie name was my mother's creation for her first toy poodle Curlina 1st . I unofficially christened her with the name princess and baby.

Now after arriving very shy and behaved she has developed into a very proud, talkative, demanding and girly fourth member of our immediate family.
When she arrived we had a lot to teach her. She had to know her name,Curlina, she had to know that she should not pee anywhere, she would only pee on the newspaper we set up for her and so many things. Now she actually learned all of it including going up the stairs, urinating and pooping outside or on the newspaper inside, she learned to play with us and she learned to bark whenever she hears the doorbell or the honk of our car or when the gate opens without her hearing a car honk. There are also some unnecessary things she learned while living with us like how to beg for food from us (human food), how to pretend she does not like dog food (she eats it when we are not looking but we still know she ate because the bowl is empty the next morning), how to beg to go up our bed (with her special blanket underneath). And she's also best friends with our pet labrador retriever. They usually attack each, Curlina takes this game very seriously but our labrador, who is 4 times her size, just thinks she is a nuisance.

She has also developed some antics that show off her characteristics. Her favorite places to be includes underneath the computer chair(risking herself being run over by it), the shower floor if it is dry and only on very hot days, in corners and tight spaces, underneath my dad's table where he stores his stuff and which Curlina chews (we have rid her of that habit by getting mad at her whenever we catch her in the act),collecting rocks, twigs and leaves whenever she is outside, likes to be hand fed when you give food (then don't give food), barks at us if it takes to long to prepare her food or when she likes what we are eating or when she is talking to the talkative neighboring dog who is 5 times her size. I am quite surprised when I look back to the days when she was so humble and behaved. I mean WHERE DID SHE LEARN THESE CRAZY STUFF SHE DOES???WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT ANGELIC DOG I BOUGHT???She is not bad but we never taught her anything about that, but I guess that every dog has a different personality , it's uniquely hers and it's what makes her so special and fun to take care of.

As almost everyone knows crazy antics lead to crazy situations. In Curlina's case it resulted to funny, disgusting and embarrassing events which I will never forget. On one really stormy night we left her downstairs to sleep there not knowing she was terrified of the rain and thunder. At that time she did not know how to go up the stairs. Out of fear she climbedthe stairs to the farthest step she can reach barking and calling for us to get her. Lucky for her my dad is a very light sleeper so she was saved that night. This went on for the entire stormy week until it was Saturday. We planned to sleep very late that night when we heard barking and wondered why it sounded like it came from the top step we opened the door and found her right in front of the door looking scared out of her soul. We praised her for her bravery and success in climbing the stairs at the most unusual circumstances.

One without a pet might say that cleaning up urine and dung only happens when you own a horse. But to tell you the truth cleaning up dung, urine and vomit is quiet common to me ever since Curlina arrived. When she was new she did not know where the proper place to urinate was on a newspaper or outside. So I kept on scolding her and explaining that poo and pee should be on the newspaper and i kept picking up and wiping pee and poo. This was finally over and now she knows the right place to poop and pee in. The vomiting part was the most disgusting thing of all, I gagged cleaning that up, she always kept vomiting because she did not have her shots after she did, Thank god it stopped.

At one very funny moment of cleaning wastes was when her poop sticked on her hair and I was told and to pull it out with some tissue paper. I had no choice but to gather my courage and do it I also tried (the second time) to wash it it away with a hose and dog shampoo.

Curlina has went through many changes during her stay here like where she sleep first she slept downstairs then in our new bathroom and finally she now sleeps on her pillow positioned beside our bed. She also changed where she urinates and poops before it was only on newspaper and by some funny and hard time of her stay we ended up letting her go outside to poop and urinate at least 4 times a day.

Curlina also loves to play. My mom bought her her favorite toy, a red squeaking firetruck plushie. She brings it to us whenever she wants to play, she likes the game tug-o-war she uses her mouth and I use my hands, I usually let her win. And if I want to play she I just get the plushie and honk it horn, she gets up and starts looking for the one holding it. But there is one thing that I never saw in the many dogs I have had, Curlina balances on her two back feet for as long as 40 seconds just to get her toy that I held above her head. She sometimes HOPS on her to rear feet just to get her little red firetruck of hers. This exceptional talent leave me and my family laughing out loud and praising her profusely.

I think that many people feel this way towards their dogs it is the LOVE that makes me and so many other people around the world enjoy and cherish misadventures with "Man's Best Friend", a dog. I know that even if you read what I wrote over and over again you might understand a little about how I feel for Curlina, but you might not know how much I love her. Sharing some of her life and some of mine to you makes me feel that a small, and cute little creature can actually be loved by a human being no matter the differences we have and no matter how far apart we may seem. Dogs are the most loyal living creature I have known and us humans can only offer back out loyalty and love for them.

June Fashion Forecast

2007-06-27T00:36:00.000-07:00

Designers this month are being inspired by Africa, The 80’s, Surf’s Up, garbage bags and … hands?
Fashion is taking a safari, big pockets, loose blouses, earth tones and animal prints shine under the African sun, but on the runway? From this end to that end of the globe designers are getting inspiration everywhere and now they’re turning their sights on Africa.

In Africa lions, tigers, giraffes and rhinos roam the flat plains, surviving on the grass that grows there. Animal print bags, shoes, dresses and tops go with the safari uniform, khaki.

Khaki can go with anything dark colors, light colors, pastel colors, neon colors any color available goes with khaki. The classic beige that never went out of style turns its eye to supporting the African safari trend.

Ideal for summer’s hot and humid days, the African trend has turned everyone’s eyes to it for this month.

BE INSPIRED BY:
WATCH: Primeval
READ: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander Mccall Smith
GO: The Zoo or hop on a plane to Africa

Big belts The 8o’s was the time of rock and roll where tie-dyed shirts, flared(bootleg) jeans, big belts, narrow dresses/skirts and crochet bathing suits rocked the limelight. Now in the 21st century designers around the globe are opening their time capsules and time travelling to the 1980s. Retro trends are hitting the runways AGAIN!

Including the comeback of big belts. Emphasis your shape when wearing loose tops and dresses or just add a loose big belt to add style and class to an outfit.

Elvis Presley back then wore the hippest and hottest trends, which included his flared bell-bottom pants, who knew that it would be hip all over again. Although now we no longer wear the bell bottom pants but bell bottom jeans which are available in different colors and designs.

Abstract patterned, tie-dyed t-shirts were all the rage back in the days of rock and roll. Now after a long quiet rest it wakes up from its deep slumber. Although it is hard to pair with any bottom it looks best with bootleg jeans.

Comes in different colors and designs crochet bikinis offer those with a curved body another reason to head to the beach. Although crochet bikinis sag when wet it still makes a good swimsuit for pictures.

Although the eighties trends has had it taste of the limelight last year some other trends which have hid themselves for a long time goes out of the closet this June.

BE INSPIRED BY:
WATCH: Grease
READ: The Baby-Sitter’s Club
GO: To your mom’s closet

Looks like some designers are loving the new movie Surf’s Up so much that they are actually designing clothes with penguin designs on it.

Surf’s Up is a movie in documentary style that follows the success of a Penguin surfer Cody Maverick. In this new movie of penguins they surf. This was developed by the theory that penguins invented surfing.

Now all beach people can surf and feel like they are the ancestors of the penguins who invented surfing, make sure to wear a penguin printed shirt.

BE INSPIRED BY:
WATCH: Surf’s Up, Happy Feet
READ: The penguins section of the encyclopedia
GO: Antarctica

Talk about bizarre and out of this world! New and weird trends take over the runway, well some parts of the runway anyway.

The new trends include hand accents, and I mean literal hand accents. Hands that hold your buttons and hold up your sleeves, they can be quiet handy you know. Hehe!

Garbage bags, garbage bag dresses, garbage bag accents designers are enjoying that they are taking out their garbage. That huge, black plastic bag is now not only a plastic to dump your leftovers in but also a fashion material. Let’s just hope that those who made the dress used un-used garbage bags.

Pirates Of the Caribbean At World's End (SPOILER)

2007-05-30T09:42:00.000-07:00

Piracy, betrayal, thievery, magic, comedy, romance and impossibility is in every corner of the new Pirates film. The Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End gives a new defenition and view as the last film of the Pirates trilogy.

The story starts withCaptain Barbosa, Will, Elizabeth and the entire crew of the Black Pearl with the help of Tia Dalma a.k.a. the Calypso search for their true Captain, Jack Sparrow seeking help from the Singapore Pirate Lord, Captain Sao Feng. After being rejected they steal themselves a new ship with the help of some of Sao Feng's unloyal guards and go off to find their beloved Captain Jack Sparrow.

Now trapped in Davy Jone's Locker Jack Sparrow tries to pull the stranded Black Pearl to the sea. With the help of rock looking and front-walking snow crabs he gets the Pearl to the Sea in time to see the Barbossa and crew stranded on the same island.

Travelling to the Bretheren Court of Shipwrecked Cove where the nine Pirate lords each owning one piece of the pieces of nine agree to meet and come to a conclusion. After voting for a Pirate King, Elizabeth Swann Captain of the Singapore crew made a decision to attack the British ships, who are now controlling The Flying Dutchman.

After suceeding in releasing Calypso and replacing Davy Jones with William Turner as the Captain of the Flying Dutchman. They all team up and defeat the forever annoying and business loving British Lord Cutler Beckett who breathes his last words "It's just business." with flying debris surrounding him offering the most spectacular movie effects my young self has seen.

With amazing visual effects, funny comedy scenes, exciting storyline and action-packed sword fights this has to be the best of the Pirates Trilogy, where secrets are revealed and the whole story comes together as one magnificent ending to the Pirates Of the Caribbean.

May Fashion Forecast

2007-05-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

This May trends show off a bold array of colors, abstract designs, and bright and sunny hues.

TREND #1

NEON

Bright, shining and well blinding the eighties neon theme and big belts is being reborned.

Luella (left)

TREND #2

STRIPES

Stripes are ripe this season with it being seen in more than three designer shows.

NOTE: See the belt on the picture to the left is neon colored and the jeans are skinny.

Lacoste(left)

TREND #3

METALLIC

Any metallic color can be paired with jeans and can be worn to formal or casual occasions which makes it the hippest and most famous trend of this summer.

Thakoon (left)

TREND #4

THE ROMANTIC

Although it is no longer February flowy, white romantic dresses are still a trend. Maybe it's because if the summer heat that makes it hot this season.

BCBG Max Azria (right)

TREND #5

CHAIN REACTION

Chain accessories, chain embellishments and chain designs are very chain-y for this season, adding a tough girl look to the otherwise goody good girl outfit.

Anna Sui (right)

TREND #6

ABSTRACT ARTIST

Playful abstract designs provokes a summer look to dresses.
Causing people to smile, abstract designs are great for summer since you don't want to look to gothic outside under the summer sun.

Marc by Marc Jacobs (right)

TREND #7

OVERALL PROTECTION

I used to wear this when I was five now this stylish trend from back then is now right here. Top over a striped shirt it makes a good outfit for a stroll along the beach.

Lacoste (left)

TREND #8

SPORTY GAL

Wearing something sporty does not mean you should be heading to the gym because now it can be worn anywhere.

Mami (left)

TREND# 8

LEG SHOW

Short shorts, mini skirts and any leg showing clothes of the eighties prevent you from prespiring in the summer heat and luckily for the sweating gal a mini anything is IN this summer.

Stella Mcartney (right)

TREND#9

STAR WARS

Shiny metallic and out of this world. Based on the metallic trend futuristic and space outfits shine and glow on the runway of June.

Balenciaga (left)

TREND#10

TRAPEZE FLYER

Mini and triangular trapeze dresses give you the flying appearance. Showing off your legs adds another trnedy bonus t a trpeze-y outfit.

Salvatore Ferregamo (right)

The Devil Wears Prada - Book Review

2007-05-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

When a small town girl gets a big city job she finds out how hard it is to work in a famous fashion magazine.

Andrea Sachs is a small town who just finishd college who dreams of being a writer in a well known New York Publication ( New York Post). When she lands a job "a million girls would die for" with, Miranda Priestly, the well known and adored fashion editor of Runway. Andrea is then transported in to another dimension (to her eyes) a place that is dominated by super skinny, and super stylish men and women who are addicted to the gym.

Everyday Andrea is challenged to do what Miranda desires. From getting her lattes that should be at a specific temperature when delivered, finding an unknown antique store that Miranda found a dresser she admired, finding a person who has 20 phone numbers all around the world, looking for an imaginary restaurant review in some of the 5 newspapers Miranda reads to delivering the not-yet-released Harry Potter book. Andrea is also also given heart attacks whenever she hears the phone and knows that it is "her". Miranda barks orders in her life 24/7 morning noon and night, trying to make her life a living hell.

Andrea puts up to all the insults, demands and orders by setting her eyes on the prize. A recommendation from Miranda Priestly would send her to any magazine she wanted.She adjusts her entire life to put up to Miranda's demands.
But now she thinks that the job a million girls would die for is going to kill her. And even if she survives is it worth losing everything else in her life?

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger gives a new meaning to the dark, devilish life behind the magazine pages that is hardly gossiped about. Narrated in Andrea's smart and entertaining mind she gives you the thoughts and feeling of having a boss who wants the impossible.

UPDATING
The Devil Wears Prada has been made into a movie which stars Anne Hathaway as Andrea Sachs and Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly. Although it does not follow everything in the book it suceeded in showing us the hilarious message of the book.

OPINION
Nice, funny and angering in some way. You actually feel hate to Miranda thanks to Andrea's very convincing narration and thoughts.

If you want a fun summer read that really won't bore you and that gives you a guilty I-really-pity-you feeling The Devil Wears Prada By Lauren Weisberger is a hot summer read.

May Beauty Bags

2007-05-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

This summer highlighted eyes, soft pink lips, and shiny nude colors is the way to dress up your look.

TREND #1

METALLIC NUDE COLORS

Add a spin to the traditional nude and natural colors by wearing metallic nude and natural colors. Just remember to keep the brow bone bare and stick with a sheer or subtle balm on the lips. you don't want to be glittery all over.

(left to right)
Chanel

Bobbi Brown Beige Brick Compact $38.00 bobbibrown.com

TREND #2

PINK GIRLY LIPS

Beautiful, soft, pink lips add the right subtle touch to a glittery eyelid.
(right to left)
Shu Uemura Lolishine Rogue
$20.00 shuuemura.com

Proenza Schouler

TREND #3
LUSH LASHES

Long and lush lashes now rule the runway. After the usual mascara coating add another outer coat by gntly blinking onto the brush.

(left to right)
Blumarine

Physician's Formula Retro Glow
$6.95 physiciansformula.com

TREND #4

POSH PONYTAIL

High rise ponytials looks glam and sophisticated. Hold it up with a barette and gently curl ends.

(right to left)
Louis Vuitton Monogram Inclusion Hair Barette
$240.00 eluxury.com

Dolce and Gabbana

*images from teenvogue.com

Write Right

2007-05-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

Do you want to be a writer? Do you enjoy jotting down your thoughts? Here is my tips for writing a feature article.

When you write remember the word CARE.

C-Conceptualizing

Choose a topic.

Example: Dances

Narrow it down to a more specific field.

dance- ballet

Think of what your format will look like.

Example: Will your article have bullets or not?
Will it have a sidebar?
Will it have pictures? If so what pictures do you need?

A- Actual Writing
I suggest you write continuously. Don't stop just keep on writing.

R- Revising
After you write take a rest. Rest for as long as you want. Just stop. Then check and re-check. Change things that are wrong or that does not make sense. Correct wrong grammar.

E- Editing
Check everything for the last time. To check for mispelled words don't read a word out loud. Look at it and say every letter. So you won't miss anything. It is also better if you have someone else check it for you.

I hope my suggestions help you in your writing.

Fun With Words #1

2007-05-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

#1 Guffaw v.
a loud or coarse burst of laughter.

#2Newsletter n.
A printed report issued at regular intervals giving news about a specific interest.

#3 Prophecy n.
a forewarning or prediction

#4 Forensics n.
The art or study of formal debate.

#5 Vinaigrette n.
A dressing of vinegar or lemon juice and oil flavored with herbs.

Write Now, Right Here

2007-05-14T02:01:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was little I always enjoyed picking up a notebook and scribbling nonsense onto it. Now every time I am inspired by something I see I quickly jot it down in my almost full notebook.

I like writing about anything. Anything and everything that comes to my mind.

Whoever said writig and reading is boring? Writing and reading what people write is always fun and enjoyable. You can learn a lot by just going through one page of a book.

I hope you can learn and enjoy while reading my blog.

Live love life right here right now.