Winter Wardrobe into Spring Wardrobe

I love spring time! I think saving money by transitioning your winter wardrobe into your spring wardrobe is genius. Chriselle did a great job in outlining how to do this well! She had so many great looks and the video was done in a very clever way! .-_-

Film Review: Cracks

This is an amazingly twisted independent film. I've been a fan of Eva Green ever since I first saw her in The Dreamers.  Released in 2009, Cracks explores the beauty and tragedy of innocence; it is something so valuable those without it desire to strip those who possess it.

Set in the 1930s at a prestigious British all girl school, Miss G (played by Eva Green pictured above and left) is a popular swim teacher. Her girls look up to her very much and hang on her every word. They are astonished by her travels, bravery, beauty, wild stories, and passion. It is amazing to watch Eva Green portray this character as she is so believable and draws the audience in; you almost feel like you are one of her students. The happy dynamic soon changes when an aristocrat by the name of Fiamma (played by María Valverde pictured above and right) comes to join Miss G's class all the way from Spain.  She is desperately homesick and withdrawn. Immediately, the other girls do not like her which only adds to her discomfort. When it is time for swim class she shows up late because it's too cold. When Miss G asks her to dive after the other girls she does so beautifully and Miss G shouts, "Fiamma sets the standard!", as everyone claps in astonishment. Di (played by Juno Temple pictured bellow with the head scarf) is insanely jealous of the attention Miss G starts giving Fiamma. During lunch, Fiamma tells the girls of her travels all over the world. She gets packages from her family full of Spanish goodies and cards and shares them with the girls. Di is usually the leader but Fiamma seems to win their affections without even trying. Fiamma is everything Miss G desires to be: she is cultured, independent, strong, well traveled, and well-read.

One of my favorite scenes is when Miss G is telling a story to the girls about her time traveling and how her partner was captured by an alligator. The girls are in awe but Fiamma has a bewildered smirk on her face. Before Miss G can finish her sentence, Fiamma finishes it for her. The glance they exchange is pure genius and reveals it all. She tells Di that Miss G is reciting a passage from a book and that Miss G is a poser. Miss G becomes even more infatuated with Fiamma as time passes; going so far as to tell her she will be here forever. When Fiamma tells her her father will come and get her, this makes Miss G sad to the point of tears. She goes into town and gets Spanish food to make her comfortable. However, this makes Fiamma uncomfortable. Miss G wants to be "the best of friends" with Fiamma and she follows her around campus. Not only is this attention unwanted but Miss G's pursuit doesn't go unnoticed and this strikes severe jealously with Di and the other girls but especially Di. There comes a point where Miss G crosses a line; a line so irreverent it will undoubtedly make the audience uncomfortable and detest Miss G. When Fiamma comes forward with the truth, the reaction is almost textbook to how individuals in her place are treated. They are not believed, blamed, and re-victimized.




Cracks dares to challenge the stereotype that only men are sexual aggressors. However, there is a population of women who abuse children. You will often hear about father and daughter molestations but almost rarely hear about mother and daughter or mother and son molestations. Check this movie out and watch it a few times. Each time you watch it there will be layers upon layers that will reveal themselves about each relationship. The actions of some of the characters are sad, disappointing, and hard to watch but artistically, Cracks is a gem!

Asa Soltan: LA River

I LOVE Asa Soltan! She's an amazing Persian artist. This is one of my favorite videos of her. Check her out! .-_-

Hair Products Update: Staples

Last year I did a post about my Plan B hair products but I wanted to do an update on what I've been doing since then. As of now, I am happy with my regimen and wanted to share my absolute staples at the present time. As a minimalist I have to say this is too much and I hope to narrow this down even more in the near future. We'll see! .-_-

Shampoo:  Soo-Ae Zin Shampoo, Giovanni Tea Tree Shampoo, Jason's Biotin Shampoo

Conditioner: Soo-Ae Zin Treatment, Aussie Moist Conditioner, Jason's Biotin Conditioner, Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Smoothie

Deep Conditioner: Aussie Moist Deeeeep Conditioner, Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Smoothie, Homemade Hair Mask

Leave-in: Grapeseed oil and Giovanni's Direct Leave-in

Styling: Thicker Fuller Hair Root Lift and Bodifying Spray, Brocato Holdon Styling Gel, and Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter

Tea Tree Oil-Healing Nectar

I did a post on another one of my favorite oils: grapeseed oil. Tea Tree Oil is another favorite oil of mine; it's not so much as moisturizing as it is healing. It has anti-fungal properties which has been beneficial to me because of my current workout routine. In the Bikram Yoga studio, you are not allowed to wear shoes so I walk barefoot a lot and though I'm sure the studio is clean you just never know. After every class I shower and make sure to put tea tree oil on my feet to kill off any potential fungus that I may have picked up from the studio. Tea Tree Oil can cure skin infections, warts, toe fungus, sinus infection, dandruff, lice, and bad breath,oral candidiasis, gingivitis, plaque, and inflamed gums. It promotes circulation and can stimulate hair growth as well. You should never apply pure tea tree oil to anything as it's too strong. I like to mix it with grapeseed oil because it's light but you can use any other oil of your choosing as long as it's light. Check out some of my mini recipes below! .-_-

Photo by photostock

Skin Infections/Rashes

Mix one tablespoon of grapeseed oil and one teaspoon of Tea Tree Oil. Apply to the infected area. Apply twice a day until the infection/rash has been cured.

Photo by Luigi Diamanti

Toe Fungus

Mix one tablespoon of grapeseed oil and one teaspoon of Tea Tree Oil. Apply to the toe nails and surrounding area. Use as preventative work and treatment. For prevention, apply after every shower. For treatment, apply twice a day morning and evening.

Photo by David Castillo Dominici

Sinus Infection

Add a couple drops of Tea Tree Oil to a small pot of boiling water. Inhale the mist for about 10-15 minutes. Do this daily.

Photo by David Castillo Dominici

Dandruff

Option 1: Apply a few drops of grapeseed oil and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil in bowl. Dip your finger tips into the mix and apply to your scalp. Be generous. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Shampoo normally.

Option 2: Add three drops of Tea Tree Oil to every tablespoon of shampoo. Shampoo normally.

Photo by Mindy McGregor

Lice

Option 1: Add 10 drops of Tea Tree Oil to ever 2 ounces of olive oil. Be generous with the mixture all over the hair and scalp. Let it sit for 3 hours. Comb the dead lice and nits with a nit comb that has been sterilized and dipped in warm water and vinegar. Make sure to rinse the comb after each time you come the nits out. Shampoo normally to remove the remainder of the oil

Option 2: Add 25 drops of Tea Tree Oil and 25 drops of lavender essential oil to every 3 ounces of almond oil. Make sure the hair is damp. Using half of the mixture, coat the hair and comb with a regular comb. Add the other half of the mixture directly on the scalp and comb the hair in sections from root to tip starting from the forehead to the back of the neck. Wrap head with a shower cap you don't mind disposing over and let it sit for 2 to 3 hours. Shampoo twice and rinse thoroughly. Comb the hair with a sterilized nit comb dipped in warm water and vinegar. Repeat 7 days later.

Photo by Stuart Miles

Bad breath, 
Oral Candidiasis, Gingivitis, Plaque, and Inflamed Gums

Add 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil to a cup of warm water. Use the mixture as a mouthwash and use three times a day. NEVER swallow this solution. **You can also add a drop of Tea Tree Oil to toothpaste as well when brushing your teeth.

Go get yourself some Tea Tree Oil!!! .-_-

Fiona Apple Montage

I love this. So creative!!! I got this from squirtle on tumblr. I'm still on a high from seeing her live in DC. I just can't get enough of Fiona Apple! .-_-

Super Cute Nail Clipper and Tweezer

I just received this in the mail. It is sooo cute! They're called Uptown Girlz and I purchased this particular set on amazon.com. They come in a variety of gals and I didn't specify which one I wanted so they chose this one for me. I'm so glad they did because I just LOVE it! .-_-

Stuff Asian Girls Say

Both of these videos crack me up!!! I'm not 100% Asian but I watch a lot of Asian tv shows and Asian movies. This is basically the stereotype of how Asian girls on tv behave! .-_-

Bitten Look

After watching so many Korean dramas and Korean movies I have found that a small population of some of the Korean actresses rock the "bitten" look. I've become obsessed with this look. It's so easy! In particular, I saw Seo Woo rock this in the drama Flames of Desire (An awesome K-drama, by the way).

To re-create this look I moisturized my lips with an Eos lip balm then applied my BB cream and foundation on my lips. Then I took a bright red lipstick and applied it on the inside of my lips. I used the Estee Lauder Ruby lipstick. I made sure that it was applied not too thin so that when I closed my mouth, you could still see the red. To seal everything, I applied a clear lip gloss (It doesn't matter which brand.) with a very light shimmer so it didn't look too matte and dry. A post on the BB creams I've been using is coming soon. A presto!  .-_-