Restaurant Review - Sapporo Restaurant

Sapporo Restaurant

152 West 49 Street #1

New York, NY 10019

(212) 869-8972

With dishes that averaged 8-9 dollars, Sapporo Restaurant has got to be one of the cheapest Japanese places in the city. The must get at Sapporo of course is the ramen, but they have a bunch of appetizers and rice dishes worth trying. You can start off with one of their basic ramen noodles and create your own by adding on a bunch of toppings of your choice. Another way to go is to order their signature dishes which are customer’s favorites.

I’ll be honest, I forgot the name of the ramen noodle I ordered but it is the Pork Katsu ramen, one of the recommended dishes. Texture of the ramen noodle was bouncy, not overcooked like many noodles I have had before. The overcooked taste is something that becomes soft and mushy, not what a lot of people look for in their noodles.

Food took a little while than expected to prepare, but I guess that means it is freshly made on the premises. I did feel a little rushed out of the restaurant, but that is probably because it was dinner time around seven. There’s a big influx of locals who feed off the cheap prices. I’ve heard complaints about the service, but I didn’t seem to have a problem. In conclusion, I recommend the restaurant for cheap eats, but the food was not so great that I must return again.

Do It Yourself - Towel Birthday Cake

Today's a special day, it's my father's birthday. Unfortunately, because everyone is so grown up and busy with their lives, only two-thirds of the family is here to celebrate with him. Being that no one but me who's currently in this house that likes to eat sweets, I decided to put a twist on his birthday cake. This is the most grandest and elegant cake that has ever stepped foot in this house (not counting restaurant parties of course). Alongside with the cupcakes that my brother bought, I made my father a towel cake. 

The DIY-green-recyclable-not-so-messy cake is simple. I was actually inspired by the cruises that I have went on in previous years where I always get a towel surprise after it has been cleaned (I was super excited about them). I thought it would be fun to coordinate with a few colors for this cake and so I went with my favorite color, white, and a sky blue. It took me a few rolls and a few different towels to find the right size for my towel cake, but i basically folded the towel the long way, half and half again and tightly rolled to the end. I used a bobby pin to secure the end, but you can use anything that you want. Being that I was pressed for time because I was so busy working, my only design was a blue ribbon and a homemade blue candle. Be creative!

Have any other ideas for a birthday cake made with things around the house, let me know!

Lose Weight Instantly - Japan 3D Full Bottom Slimming Stockings

With the big fright of Hurricane Irene and all the chaos that has been going on, I don't know about you, but all I've been doing is locking myself indoors and shopping online. If you thought my shopping splurges were one of my bad habits, think again! I have been eating all day non-stop, mostly junk food like Keelber Mint Creme Middles cookies and juice, along with other cookies, soda, candy, chips and such. Because of this disastrous hurricane that luckily did no damage to my house, I have put on a few pounds this weekend. Hopefully it isn't too noticeable, but it did remind me of these instant weight slimming leggings. 

Japan’s 3D Full Bottom Slimming Stockings which seemed to be sold out in so many places really makes you look skinnier. These stockings, which can be difficult to put on, will help to shed a few pounds on your legs. It is suggested to be worn when you sleep to help you “shed some weight” during the eight hours of resting. Of course the best thing to do is to wear this during the day as regular leggings. There’s a lot of hype on these leggings, but they can be a bit suffocating for the legs, so it'll take some patience! You can surely throw on some other undergarments that help to hide the gut and flabs of your body as well, but since I have been wearing loosely fitted shirts, you can't really tell where my big belly lies! Generally speaking, all I need to do is get a pair of these stockings. 

Semi-Shopping Splurge

This week mini shopping splurge consists of bottoms. For starters, white pants are a must have in every closet. This pair of fitted leg cuffed at the ankle was purchased at New York and Company. I definitely got a steal on this one, paying $15 for an originally priced $36.95 pair of pants just because I waited a week. I am ready to go back and pick up more, I just chose to buy one pair because I hate trying on clothes in store because I’m a germ-a-phobe.

Following is my little splurge at Forever 21, only because I didn’t have enough time to shop there which isn’t a bad thing because it saved my pocket. With autumn coming, a shade of darker colors is a must have. I picked up this rust color skinny ankle jeans, a great resemblance of falls leaves that I am excited to rock with a simple white tee and white sneakers. It is the perfect casual everyday look in fall.

Feeding off of my last shopping splurge, I picked up more red apparel because I was basically told that I should wear more red by a fortune teller. Superstitious? Very. Even though I am more or less “forced” to buy more red clothes, I was particularly attracted to this skirt for the bright color and simple yet sophisticated style.

Next off, I picked up two pairs of pajama boxers. Everyone knows I love short shorts! I wear them all year around, even in the freezing cold winter with no heat in the apartment. Although I am not a fan of the lace that doesn’t feel so great against my sensitive skin, the soft cotton material it is made out of is worth the mini surgery I will conduct to remove the lace.

Lastly, Victoria Secret undies are almost everyone’s favorite, even though the prices were upped another fifty cents, priced at 5 pairs for $25.50. The bikini undies are one of my favorite to sleep in and they are great for you, made out of cotton which reduces the chances of a yeast infection and such. I recommend always wearing more cotton underwear whenever possible. Although grannie pannies are not everyone’s favorite, it is worth it to switch it up every now and then for the sake of your health. Remember to change your set of undies every six months!

There you have it, my mini splurge of the week!

Sephora Sale

If you’re a big Sephora person like me, you would know that there is a big sale on the Sephora website going on, like always. If you’re also a big online shopper like me, you would know that Sephora is offering 5 samples free with any purchase rather than their typical 3 from now until August 30^th. If you’re also big on samples like me, you would stack up on the products you normally use because they are the perfect travel size and stick-them-in-your-purse-for-going-out samples.

Moral of the story is to get your beauty splurge on the Sephora website. The SEPHORA COLLECTION is having a crazy sale with products over 50% off. You can find nail accessories, stickers, brow pencils, all starting at just $1. This is the best time to stock up on Sephora products if you use them on the regular. With a $25 purchase, you can get a free sample of Bare Escentuals Firming Eye Treatment with code BEFIRM or two shades of Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder with code TRYHALO. Sephora is also offering free shipping for purchases over $50.

One of the must shares with you is the Sephora Collection Brush Wand (picture above) that consists of four magnetized wands that are aligned to form a wand for eye makeup. It is extremely easy to carry around for traveling, saving yourself the additional three brushes. I love how I can throw this is my bag and touch up on my makeup after work with no problems.

I’m a little sad they ran out of the Boo Boo Bling which is perfect for people like me who have psoriasis cuts all the time in random areas. It would have been fun to play around with, plus it’s only a dollar. There's a lot of other great nail supplies that I wish I would've picked up a little earlier. FYI to you: jump on it quick because a lot of things are going out of stock. Still, I managed to spend over $150 on Sephora.com! That's because Hurricane Irene has me hanging out in the house. 

Prepare for the Hurricane with SNACKS !

Considering that I went to Pathmark to stack up for the Hurricane, I really didn’t buy much can foods or water. I only got two cans of Chef Boyardee and a whole lot of junk food. Junk foods are non-perishable, works out to my favor anyway! Excuse the opened package, I couldn't wait to share it with you.

With that said, I picked up two new snacks which I am so obsessed with. First is the new Keebler’s Mint Creme Middles with chocolate graham cookies. For anyone who loves cookies as much as I do, as well as mint and chocolate, this is the perfect CHEAP cookie. My all time favorite is the Andes mint cookie, but that is impossible to find in New Jersey, so I’ll just have to settle with this and it's only $2.50 on sale!

Next off, I am the ultimate juice person and I love drinking juice more than anything. I guess this is better than drinking soda. I just discovered Langers Strawberry Peach juice cocktail. I was obsessed with Ocean Spray’s White Cranberry Strawberry juice cocktail, but that is growing to be too sweet for my taste. This new discovery is just perfect for me. All I hope is that there will be some more in stock after this hurricane passes!

My Current Obsession - OPI for Sephora Spark-tacular! Top Coat

I admit, I am an essie lover. I pretty much don’t wear any brand on my nails other than essie, many of you know that. I have this obsession with essie that I cant explain, that is until I discovered Spark-tacular! This nail polish is a two in one – a blast of sparkle as well as a top coat. You can wear it alone on your nails or what I like to do is paint on my favorite essie color (which is currently tarte deco) and throw Spark-tacular on my ring fingers. Such a blast of fun! You can shine on one coat for less glitter or pile on the glitter and have nails full of fun. I am ready to get the OPI for Sephora Only Gold For Me and Traffic Stopper Copper top coats.

Prepare for the Unexpected - Hurricane Irene

There are many of us who are oblivious as to what is happening to the world, unless it’s weather of course. Many of us go on weather.com to get the daily weather, some just look outside and decide on their outfit. With that being said, after our bizarre earthquake on the east coast yesterday afternoon, in my opinion, we are gradually receiving Mother Nature’s sign for 2011. Needless to say, I have been watching too many movies about the end of the world, but I think we should prepare for the unexpected.

Hurricane Irene, currently in the Bahamas area is gradually coming up north. Although there is no definite prediction as to where the Hurricane is headed, New Jersey and New York is one of the targeted areas. With no expectations for natural disasters on the east coast, I suggest some well planning for you and the family, just in case there is another earthquake or in this case, Hurricane Irene.

• Write up emergency phone call numbers and seal with a plastic bag. Our generation today relies on cell phones and address books more than anything. Very few people are like me with a memory of important phone numbers, but even with that said, it is still important to have a physical emergency list of numbers in case anything happens to you (unconscious and such). Be sure to have every family member carrying around an emergency contact list at all times during the hurricane in case of separation. You can include name and address as well.
• Stack up on enough water for three to seven days. Water is one of the basic essentials for survival and it is crucial to have enough in the house for three to seven days since there is no exact determination as to how many days we are/will be stuck in the house. The general estimate is to prepare a gallon of water for each person each day, but there are many people who drink more than a gallon a day so plan accordingly to the household.
• Store enough nonperishable foods for the family. Running over to the supermarket and planning a bit earlier is better than planning last minute. Be sure to store enough can foods and other food of your choice that does not require refrigeration. Remember to check expiration dates on can foods. It is always better to be over-prepared than under and since can foods can last a few years, you will surely have enough time to finish.
• Have cooking tools ready. Plan for the whole nine yards: have enough cooking fuel (not the electric stove), pots and pans, utensils, paper plates, and such. You can purchase a gas burner that his available in hardware stores with a few extra gas.
• Develop a plan. Plan for a safe place to hide against storm surge, wind and flooding. Know your house’s capabilities and consider that the safest place to shelter may not be in your home, but within your community. Be sure to have a destination to meet after the storm and know familiarize yourself with escape routes from the house or apartment.
• Have tools ready. You should have a box of tools ready in case of any emergency. Securing windows, entry ways, roofs, shutters, and such is crucial during a storm. Plan ahead and have extra wood, nails and bolts ready to strap down such areas to prevent wind from entering.
• Plan for evacuation. Be ready to get stuck in traffic and long waits, fill up gas ahead of time. If possible, stay with a friend or family member where the hurricane is not targeted for evacuation. When evacuating, bring cash (small bills as well), a few credit cards, and remember to have all important documents sealed in a plastic bag to prevent damage. Remember to pack keys, fully charged phones (as well as a fully charged spare battery if available), clothing (windbreakers, rain boots, those that are waterproof), pillows, blankets, medications, children and elderly items, first aid kit, toiletries, hygiene items, moisture wipes and more.
• Have flashlight and batteries handy. If you are able to purchase all different kinds of flashlights, do so. They include regular battery operated flash lights, pocket flash lights, keychain flash lights, manual (non-battery) operated flash lights and such. If you do not have flashlights available during a hurricane, be sure to have a lighter and candles ready.
• Portable radio. Battery operated and NOAA weather radio will help to keep you in the loop of what is happening in the area. 

At the end of the day, I hope it's not going to come our way. At least if it does, we'll be prepared! I don't know if it's only me, but I enjoyed the earthquake shake a bit. Felt like I was floating on the cloud, that is until I realized it was an earthquake and freaked out when I saw my grandfather's bed shake. Haha!

Want to Live Longer

Being that I have been sitting aside a wonderful man in the hospital these past few days, I figured a blog about how to live longer is precious. It hurts to see my grandfather have to struggle with many obstacles, finding cancer after cancer pop up. He has been a strong man, but of course, I would much rather him not go through this. Never in my life have I saw him cry until today, and it hurts a lot. I love you grandpa, this is dedicated to you.

Although living longer may not be a current goal of yours, as you age, you will want to live longer. You want to live to watch your kids grow, watch your grandchildren get married off, raise their children. With that said, in addition to the medications that help to extend our lives a few years, there are other all natural ways that can help us add in a few years.

• The don’ts. Obviously don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t engage in such life threatening things which probably don’t need a lot of explaining. Having fun and letting loose here and there isn’t a bad thing, but my point is to not become such an addict that it’ll be problematic. When you decrease your connection with these activities, you’re helped out a friend as well because “monkey see, monkey do.”
• The dos. Eating healthy, exercising, drinking more water are the most obvious musts for a healthy life. A healthy life equates living longer. It is not easy to keep up with this good habit daily, but there are a few other ways to live longer which include:
• Be happy. I admit, my grandfather is the best at this, optimistic about everything. Although you may get caught up in life’s stress and want to ‘end your life’ you really don’t. We all know, ‘ending your life’ is just an excuse, but try skipping out on the negativity and be more happy, you’ll live longer. Just having a smile on your face will brighten your day as well as the person next to you. Give off a good vibe, it catches on. The next time you’re close to raging, think happy thoughts and force a ‘real smile’ this will make you happy in no time! It’ll save the argument that’s totally not worth it (we all experienced the ‘not worth it’ when calming down after a two hour argument).
• Less stress. You probably thought smoking, drinking and deadly diseases was the ultimate life threat, well it’s not. Stress is actually more threatening than smoking is—think about it, most people smoke because they’re stressed. The more stressed they are, the more they smoke. Have you heard of people who have cancer and survived because they were happy all the time? I have. Just because a problem appears does not mean it’s the end of your life. It all comes down to being happy and not worrying all the time.
• Meditate. Taking five to ten minutes out of your day to meditate in the morning and before you sleep allows you to better understand your inner self. Concentrating on your breathing in a quiet area helps to strengthen your immune system which reduces the likelihood of diseases. It also provides you with the inner peace that prevents wrong doings because you tackle daily tasks with a calmer, more thought-out mindset.
• Exercise your brain. Challenge yourself to keep your brain refreshed like using the opposite hand you normally use or playing a memory game. These exercises help you use more of your brain which leaves the body rejuvenated while preventing Alzheimer’s. Plus, using more of your brain is a better thing giving you an advantage in life.
• Take deep breaths. Take the time out of your day to concentrate on your breathing. By practicing regular breathing, your body will become stronger because you’re not only building your lungs, but helping with the blood flow in your system.
• Donate blood. This feeds off of my blog that was specifically geared towards men to give blood. Giving blood with circulate your system, remove all the toxic and harmful blood to your system while reproducing more blood. Getting into the habit of this will allow your body to easily reproduce blood if and when a serious injury occurs. That and you're doing a great thing, so you'll feel good about yourself after which is always an added plus!

I’m not asking you to engage in all these activities all at once. It takes time and practice to have this routine packed down, but I guarantee you, it will be worth it in the end. 

Makeup Reveiew – Fusion Beauty – LashFusion XL Micro-Technology Instant Lash Volumizer

Having too many types of mascara is not a bad thing, especially one that provides a reparative complex of fatty acids, avocado oil, and wheat flower lipids that fortifies lashes—even when mascara is removed. LashFusion XL does that which is an added bonus to the oomph I get.

Skipping the falsies when I go out, LashFusion XL gives me that dramatic look while providing volume to my eyes. The soft bristles expand in every direction, offering a full look when brushed on. The one thing I do not like about this is the smell of the liquid. Overall, I am a fan of this mascara for a night out. 

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - La Maison Du Chocolat

With the amount of stress and tears that I have cried since last night, I definitely needed a pick me up. Everyone knows that I am a Godiva freak, spending over $40 in the store each time I enter, mostly on fresh truffles. I was lucky enough to have a bag of chocolates I picked up from La Maison Du Chocolat that was right around the corner from the NBC building that allowed me to have a moment to myself. And so, I wanted to share with you, my ultimate remedy.

Being the chocolate freak that I am, I thought Godiva was amazing—I definitely picked up some amazing treats from this French store. I am absolutely in love with my milk chocolate truffle that literally melted in my mouth the minute I passed the outer layer of cocoa powder. Another one of my favorite is the Roche that is chocolate with almonds and hazelnut. With chocolates averaging $2 a piece like Godiva’s truffles, just a little smaller in size, it is a to die for.

La Maison Du Chocolat is a well known French sweet tooth satisfaction store, having a café in some locations. It is the perfect place for someone with a sweet tooth like me, offering chocolates, icecream, macroons, coffees, and little pastries. It's very difficult to savor these things when they taste so good!

Beauty Pick Me Up - Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Clinique is a brand that I never really thought I would associate myself with because it is a common brand for Asian middle-aged women. I believe my mom and all my aunts use Clinique and no other brand so since I was young, I established Clinique to be an old woman’s brand and not to use that until I turn 40.

It wasn’t until today when I stopped by the Sephora during my lunch break that I discovered Clinique’s bottom lash mascara. This cute little thing changed my mind about Clinique products and I am definitely happy I did not let a brand stop me from buying this amazing product.

It makes coating my bottom lashes easier than ever because the bristles are so tiny and lash focused. The best thing about the size of this is it’s perfect for traveling so I don’t have to scout for a mini product. Removing is as easy as using warm water to melt the product and wipe away. Just $10 will get you this bottom lash mascara.

Restaurant Review - Samurai Sushi

Samurai Sushi

1709 86st Brooklyn, NY 11214-2817 (718) 331-7100

Recall my blog about Ichi Sushi in the Bensonhurst area being my favorite sushi place, well things have changed since my latest discover. Samurai Sushi on 17^th and 86^th street has the food that makes my heart melt. Although pricing is a little more expensive at Samurai Sushi compared to other restaurants that offer half price sushi and buy one get one half off, I can tell that the fish is fresher and more appealing than any other place I have ate at in Brooklyn.

I feel that the customer service in Samurai Sushi is more pleasurable, I do not feel rushed out of the restaurant as I do in many other places. They take their time in making your dishes and send them over as appetizer followed by the main course as American restaurants do, ensuring you have the proper amount of time to digest your food. A bonus for a Japanese restaurant in Brooklyn, they provide edamame for free!

I recommend ordering the Spicy Shrimp Roll and the Spicy Kani one piece sushi when you visit. The beef udon yakatori I ordered was a little too salty for me, maybe I’m not sure if it’s normally that salty, but no worries, I’ll be updating as I eat out here again!

Nail Art in 1-2-3

Lately, I've been on a trip about nail design, addicting to the cracked nail design by OPI. My recent discovery consists of nail polish and a magnet. With one thick coat of nail polish and a magnet that is placed of your nail, a design will appear within 10 seconds. How trippy is that? LCN offers a magnet nail polish that makes stirpe and star design on your nails. For only $10 a bottle of nail polish and $20 for the magnet, nail design has never been so easy. The best thing about it is being able to share with friends. 

Restaurant Review - Satay Malaysian Cuisine

Satay Malaysian Cuisine
46-01 Kissena Blvd
Flushing, NY 11355
(718) 888 - 1868

After the horrific thunderstorm at Corona Park last week, the Western Union crew packed up the remaining giveaways and bonded over a delicious lunch. We scrambled to find a buffet to fill the hungry bellies of the men on the team, but after numerous fails, we decided to settle for a Malaysian restaurant from recommendation.

With so much to choose from on the menu, we decided to go family style and enjoy the extravagant lunch. Ordering off of recommendations, we enjoyed ourselves with three appetizers, two rice dishes, four entrees, one soup, two desserts and a few specialty drinks.

Based upon the look of the restaurant, I really did not have any high expectations of it, compared it to be any other Malaysian restaurant. To my surprise, I am in love with this restaurant! Every dish that they produced was delicious. The beef was not too dried, the fried items were not burnt, the sauces were right on point, everything was a delicious.

My personal recommendations is the Malaysian bread with curry sauce as an appetizer, coconut rice, salted fried calamari, tri veggie mix, the herbal soup, and the ABC shaved ice. Although I was extremely full, I couldn’t help but to keep picking at the different foods. It was just too much to take in for a first time, but I am excited to go again because of the wonderful dishes I had. 

Makeup Review - CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipcolor

With 44 swatches of color, CoverGirl’s LipPerfection Lipcolor has a blast of color with a silk moisturizing complex that are to soften your lips within 7 days. Because I am not a big lipstick person, I have not worn it for 7 days straight. I do love that the color glides on smoothly and it doesn’t feel so heavy on my lips which saves me the pre-moisturizing step. Of course, the best thing about CoverGirl lipstick is the price averaging just $7 a pop. 

Beauty Pick Me Up

oo35 mm Inc
46 Bowery Unit 2
New York, NY 10013
http://www.oo35mm.com/


I am super excited to share with you my beauty pick up for this week. I actually found this store in a hidden alleyway in Chinatown, New York when I passed by after dinner at Yummy Noodle which is in the same alley. This ghetto and cracked out alley store has quite the goodies that attracted me. 

I wanted buy the whole store, but I told myself two items is enough, well I was told two items were enough. Therefore, I picked up a Kids Body Wash Mitten because my body sponge recently broke apart and I have yet to replace it. For those of you who use a bath sponge—oofah—luffa—lufah—WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, you may feel like it is rough on the skin. I love using it because it makes me feel so much cleaner, but I admit, it is damaging for my skin because I rub so hard sometimes that it leaves me with an open cut on my psoriasis. This body wash mitten is extremely gentle on the skin and it exfoliates my shower gel, exactly what I am looking to do for the skin.

The other item I picked up which I’m super duper excited to share with you is the “Doo keys” basically a poop head key holder that helps you distinguish the different locks on your home keys and office as well. I have been amped to buy these key holders for quite a while now but they are either sold out online or priced for like $15-20 after shipping, totally not worth it. Patience pays off because I just picked up a pack of 6 for six bucks! Can’t wait to go back to that store again pick up more cute items. 

Story of my life - 081311 HK Dragon Boat Festival

 

Today was another one of those years that I attend the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Corona Park, Queens, New York. Unlike any other year, I was actually working this year and not really enjoying myself. I got this last minute contract over the weekend, and when I say last minute contract—I mean Friday last minute. It was a great experience to work for the Western Union vendor, although it was hard work. I tend to forget the massive number of people that come out and participate in the event, until I work at one.

 

I usually attend in support of my friends that are in the race, DCH and Wall Street specifically :D and enjoy the scenery as I cheer them on. It’s a great event to come out to every year to watch the traditional Chinese dragon boat and wait on ridiculously long lines for free things. It’s definitely a great day for family fun, minus the long lines. I’ve seen so many families with young children come out and bond by flying kites or enjoying ice cream. Come out and visit me tomorrow at the Western Union stand if you’re around, I probably won’t be doing this again next year, it’s extremely draining!

Beauty Review - Face Shop Masks

If Kim Hyun Joong is not a big enough incentive to go into the Face Shop, their one single packaged face masks definitely are. I have been using these face masks for at least six months now and I am excited to share it with you. I’ve seen these masks go on sale for $1 each, but the Face Shop line costs $2 a piece and they also carry other brands that cost up to $6. Every time I drop by, I pick up at least five different masks and have it stacked up for use and to share with friends.

Having twenty different masks to choose from within the Face Shop line, there are many different uses for the skin which include cleanse, clearing, whiten, and relaxation. These masks are best to use in the winter time because you really do feel your face smooth out after one use. For those with psoriasis, I recommend the pine nut which sounds weird, but works so great for smoothing the face as well as the pomegranate for detoxing and lavender for relaxation. Depending on the weather, you may want to jump and try different masks. I tend to use the aloe one every week because it’s summer and the sun is a killer for the face so aloe is great for soothing.

You can use these masks once or twice a week, depending on how my hydration and moisturizing you need. If you are just starting to use masks, I suggest using it once a week and working your way up to two times a week. You do not want to overdo it because it will leave you with an oily face. 

Makeup Review - CoverGirl Intense Shadow Blast

Covergirl just recently developed the Intense Shadow Blast in six shades that has primer included for long lasting eye shadow. It’s perfect when you’re in a rush out the door, saving you the extra step. It comes in a bottle that’s perfect and not so messy so you can do it on your ride to work—the safe way. I love how they offer make up matching on the website that helps you pick out the color that’s right for you, they even show where you can purchase these items from at an average cost of $8. 

It glides on extremely smooth but it may be a little difficult to work with when you're combining a few colors. My absolute favorite is the Brown Bling that compliments my dark eyes as a natural look with some shimmer. 

Excessive Peeing Problems !

I’m sitting in the office and for some odd reason today, I had the biggest bladder problem and I did not drink anymore than I usually do. I finally figured out why which hints to me to bring a thicker jacket to the office. The ac blasting in the summer causes our body to be cold and when we are cold we do not sweat. Sweating is a way get ride of the water in our body and because we are not sweating, the other alternative is urine.

I always sit in the office with a blazer so I never realized the problem until today since I wore a dress to work. Now I know to bring a thicker jacket and something to cover my legs with!  I love finding the solution to my problems, rather than assuming there is just something wrong with me.

The scientific explanation for what I just stated: 

"A common symptom of cold weather is its effect on urine production. Exposure to cold causes a reduction in blood flow to the surface of the skin by constriction of blood vessels. This reduces the overall volume of the circulatory system so increasing the blood pressure. The body's response to this is to reduce the fluid volume by getting rid of water in the urine. So when you get cold, you want to pee. "

Sweet Tooth Satisfaction - Serendipity 3

Serendipity 3

225 East 60^th Street

New York, NY 10022

(212) 838-3531

www.serendipity3.com

Through the years, Serendipity has always had a lot of hype for their absolutely great desserts and the spot for many celebrities to hang. I went to Serendipity a while ago and I just wanted to share my opinion. Although there has been many stories about the awfully disgusting kitchen with mouse drippings and such, I still thought the hype was enough to drive me in there, considering every kitchen has a mouse problem.  

In my honest opinion, the only great thing about Serendipity is their advertised Frozen Hot Chocolate – minus the whip cream. If you decide to go on a date here, definitely go for dessert only. The food at Serendipity is not all that great and if you’ve got the cash, be sure to try out their Guinness World Record – Golden Opulence Sundae priced at $1000 that’s made out of gold, but at least you get to keep some of it.

I wasn’t really a fan of the small space and not so great service, so I will probably not return anytime soon. It may be still worth it for you to stop by and see if you bump into a celebrity!

Restaurant Review - Katsuhama Restaurant

Katsuhama Restaurant

11 East 47 Street

New York, NY 10017

(212)758-5909

http://www.katsuhama.com/

I had the pleasure of experiencing Katsuhama’s variety of katsu and tempuras. I love how they have a to go station outside of the restaurant that is great for New Yorkers on the run, like I am most of the time. They provide fresh lunch boxes of katsu, tempura, and sushi.

I ordered myself an over-the-top filling curry udon lunch box that came with a few tempuras, a bowl of rice, a salad, a side of eggplant and a starter of sour radish and cabbage, my favorite! I probably didn’t even eat half my food and I was stuffed. Please take into consideration that I have shrunk my stomach and I eat less now, so I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to eat all of it and be just as stuffed as I was!

I do recommend this place if you are in the area for lunch. I wouldn’t suggest taking someone out on a date here because it’s just not classy, but lunch is always a great option. I love being able to sit down and enjoy my lunch with a friend. I did not feel rushed out at all, like I do in many other places. The food does take a little longer than usual to come, but it is acceptable since it is freshly fried food.

I passed by today and I did see another line that was almost out the door, says a lot about a place for lunch. The meals are a little pricy for a lunch, but considering the amount of food they are providing you and you are eating in the city, it is extremely understandable. Lunch boxes ranged from $15-20, but they do have other dishes you can order that average $13. 

Today's Lunch - Pret A Manager

Today was just another one of those days in the office where I was so caught up in work and meetings, that I had an extremely late lunch. Gratefully, my favorite quick pick up Pret is right downstairs. Today’s pick me up was a large $6 chicken noodle soup, I upgraded from a medium because I am just so hungry. I wish they would give me another piece of bread since I love bread so much, but the difference in size should fill me up.

I absolutely this place because there are always fresh sandwiches prepared. It’s perfect those who are busy like me and just cant afford to have a lunch since it’s always packed and ready to be picked up and paid for. They offer a variety of other foods that are extremely tasty and the lines are never so long that I stay in the store for more than five minutes. Be sure to pay them a visit next time you’re in a rush back to the office, just be careful not to burn your tongue like I just did!

DIY - Food Goods

Recall my blog about watermelon rind for your face? Well, the skin of many fruits is good for you. Lemon and oranges are used for foods as a zest, but my favorite with lemon and orange skin is dried with a bit of sugar and salt.

You can practically save the skin of every fruit and use it somehow because it has a variety of uses. Talk about recycling and getting your money’s worth! Simply wash the outer layer of your fruit before peeling and lay the inside (where the meat is) on your skin.

Mango and papaya skin are great for a rub down on your feet for the summer. Apricot and peach peels are best for dry skin, apple and Asian pear peel is good for oily skin. Grape peels are good for normal skin and cucumber is good for any type of skin. 

Today's Lunch - Bread & Company

Taking the healthy option is not easy and cheap, especially if you're picking up lunch in the city. Although I ordered myself a salad today, and rejected the bread that was offered to me, I know my salad was still packed with calories because of the dressing, but it was too yummy. Today, I had my ultimate favorite Sesame Chicken Salad – Sesame chicken, mandarin orange, zucchini, squash, carrots, cucumber, chow mein noodles, Romaine lettuce, and sesame ginger dressing. I was going to go with the healthy option of water, but because I haven't been getting much fruits in my system, I figure a bottle of Naked would be better. This lonely lunch $15 because I was charged an extra dollar for the salad :[ owell !


I wish there was an option of less because I barely finished half of this salad and I still have food coma !

Prevent FB Hacking

So if you didn't get the memo, facebook has done some changes to the website. With these changes, it makes hacking into facebook a lot more easier without changing your security settings. If your website browsers says "http" or just "www" and not "https" then you are at risk. To change back to a secure setting:

1. Click account on upper right hand corner
2. Go to Account Settings
3. Hit Security on the left 
4. Make sure Secure Browsing is enabled
5. If it is not, click the check box

Spread the word!

Pamper Me Pretty - Perfect Brows

Perfect Brows

164 Pearl Street

New York, NY 10005

(212)785-0690

http://www.perfectbrowsnyc.com/

Perfect Brows is an eyebrow station that provides threading, waxing, and facial services all over the New York area. They have a number of stores which makes it easy for a drop in eyebrow thread when you are in a rush. There are usually a few eyebrow stations that provide you quick and clean eyebrows with people shuffling in and out.

For those of you who are not familiar with threading, it is a quick and first-time painful process of “rapid hair plucking with a thread.” After a while, your skin, like waxing, will be used to the feeling, and it may even feel relaxing. The only problem with threading is that when your eyebrows are thread the wrong way, the hair may not grow back as quick, or not grow back at all. With constant threading, your hair will grow slower and less, which is great for the upper lip area.

I recently went to the store over by Wall Street and I have to say the staff was extremely nice and they did a great job on my eyebrow and upper lips. Extremely quick and efficient except I did not like the way they were shaped. It’s difficult to communicate with them sometimes because they do a traditional clean eyebrow, not recognizing an arch.

In addition to the eyebrow thread, I got a wax because of a deal they had. I usually never have a problem with waxing, but I will probably never go back for any type of wax. My skin was so irritated, and being that I have psoriasis, I was in a bit of pain. In addition to that, I felt extremely dirty because they did not offer a “no double dip, new stick option,” even with the additional money I would pay for it. I'm glad that I did not get an infection or anything and I have recovered, but I sure was in pain for one day. So long story short, do not go there for a wax, even if it is your eyebrows because it’s been infested with someone’s vag. 

Problematic Foods for the Skin

For those of you who have skin problems, which include psoriasis, eczema, acne, rashes and such, it is important to watch what you eat. It is best if you can cut out such foods from your entire diet but I admit, it is difficult to cut these foods from your life. It has a proven record to help your skin out in the long term which takes a lot of determination. I suggest cutting down the amount that normally consume, that’ll help control your skin a bit.

It’s one of those cause and effect games. Because you’re consuming these foods, the effect shows on your skin. From the outside in, the foods get absorbed into your system which plays an effect as to how it comes out.

• Shellfish – Any seafood with shell exterior is known to irritate your skin, which includes, but not limited to shrimp, crab, lobster, mussels, clams, crawfish. After consuming shellfish, many people will start to itch. A lot of people believe they are allergic to shellfish, but that's not the case, its a general reaction for all, stronger for some than others. If you have a skin problem, this will only cause you to be more irritated which leads to you scratching. Any type of scratch is not good for the skin because you are transferring the germs from your fingernails to your skin which can cause it to infect.
• Beef – Red meat is not good for open cuts because it will end up leaving scars all over your body. Anytime you get an open cut, from falling or from scratching, refrain from eating beef. The rarer it is, the darker and less likely your scar will fade away. Another major problem of consuming beef is the breakouts that many people have. Beef is one of those tasty but deadly foods.
• Duck – Duck is known to be "poisonous" for the skin, it falls under the category of shellfish. Duck causes a lot of irritations so do avoid duck when you have an open wound because it will take longer to heal. Eating duck will make you itchy, but not as itchy as shellfish.
• Chocolate – This sweet thing made from oil causes many breakouts and of course the more you eat, the worse your skin gets. When I say chocolate, I mean chocolate everything—chocolate candy, chocolate cake, hot chocolate.
• Spicy Foods – Consuming spicy foods will cause your internal body to be “flamed.” What I mean by flamed is having internal heat in your system. When there is internal heat, your body will start to feel more uncomfortable and find ways to release this heat. Ever feel a few extra break outs or canker sore is developing when you eat spice? Or maybe even having trouble with a bowel movement? That’s the cause and effect chain of spicy foods.
• Sour Foods – Having an irregular balance to your body’s ph level by eating too much sour foods will cause your stomach to cringe. I haven’t quite figured out how sour food has an effect on the body, but it’s one of those things that you just need to balance out.

Moral of the story is to balance out what you eat, everything has it harms and benefits for the body. Try not to eat too much of one thing—at least not all at once. If you’re able to control your diet and eat a healthy meal 24/7, you will see a change in your skin. The better you treat your body, the more it will reflect on your skin. 

Restaurant Review - David Burke Townhouse

David Burke Townhouse

133 East 61 Street

New York, NY 10065

(212)813-2121

http://www.davidburketownhouse.com/

David Burke Townhouse is known for their cheesecake lollipops which is one of my absolute favorite bring homes from the restaurant. I had the pleasure of having a sit down lunch with David Burke a while back, and he is the most down to earth chef I know. Owning a number of restaurants, his name just keeps popping up in the charts for new creations in the food industry.

Recently launching his finger foods with a Bowlmor in Times Square, I decided it was time to touch up on a few of my absolute favorites at one of his restaurants. Located in a little hidden street in uptown New York, David Burke Townhouse is known for their fun and creative dishes. This restaurant always participates in restaurant week, so I suggest going then when you’re on a budget.

When you go for restaurant week, there are a few dishes that are not included in the menu, but you have the option of paying more for it, I recommend you do so. The must haves at David Burke Townhouse are the Pretzel Crusted Crabcake appetizer (left), Angry Lobster appetizer, Parfait of Big Eye Tuna and Samlon Tartares appetizer, Shrimp Lo Mein entrée, Duck Duck Duck entrée, the Cheesecake Lollipop Tree for dessert (above) and my other must have is the Hot Strawberry Shortcake Sundae. This thing is a mix of hot and cold with crunchy and soft, an absolute to die for.

Although you may not experience a special lunch with David Burke himself, I still recommend going to try these dishes. They are the best from the whole menu, maybe the only ones I would ever order. 

Story of my life - 080511

I get it guys, my blogs are long haha! I try to keep them as short as possible, but it's pretty much impossible to do so because I have so much information I want to share with you! Bear with me, it's for your own good.

Story of my life: my grandfather was discharged from the hospital yesterday. YAY! He's home and recovering, thanks for all the support <3

Now I am stuck with a dilemma of whether or not I should go to Korea because I have so much to give up here. I'm only gonna be gone for a year, but that year seems like forever for people who rely on me so much, what should I do?!

Anywho, please follow me on twitter @cunggie and "join this site" to the right for additional love and support, please make it public THANKS!

Double Eyelids Without Surgery

I know a lot of girls with the monolids, especially Asians. Although I fall under that category, I’m grateful that I don’t have that problem. I know there's a lot of women out there who are willing to undergo surgery just to get that fold, but is it really worth it when you can do it the natural way? It may take some time and patience, but I think it is much better than having something you cannot correct without undergoing the knife again. I have a few suggestions for you that are extremely cheap :D

This Japanese eyelid clip is known to help those with monolids, including men. Although they look painful, they really are not. I admit I was afraid to use it at first, but there’s a rubber cushion that prevents the pain of clipping your lids, that and these eyelid clippers are not do not expand wide enough to clip a lot of your meat. I suggest using these every night before sleeping, just hold the clip open and push with the skin of your eyelid as far back as possible and release. Because the elasticity in your eyes are so flexible, by keeping this up, your lids will keep its shape. You are going to look like a fool walking around the house in them and it will block part of your vision, so be careful!

Another option is eyelid glue. Simply brush the glue along the line of your crease and give it some time to dry like you would with eyelash glue. When the glue starts to dry and get sticky, use the stick with two ends shaped like a V to push back your eyelid. Feel free to load up as many layers as you want to create a more dramatic fold.

The last thing which I don’t recommend going out in, is eyelid tape. Eyelid tape will help the fold of your eyes immediately without all the trouble of glue and sleeping with a clip, but is it extremely visible even with eye shadow. This is suitable for pictures and going out at night where there is minimal lighting. You can align a set of tapes to increase the dramatic fold of your eye lids. If you’re willing to sleep with this tape on every night, your eyelids will gradually get accustomed it. 

If you have uneven eyelids like I do, use the eyelid glue or tape to correct one eye and even out your face. It's best if you sleep with it, being that your room is not too hot that the glue will melt. 

Food Goods - Watermelon

a beautifully carved watermelon 

Being that I have not been getting sleep lately, my look has been dreadful. I feel tightness in my face from the amount of stress I have endured these past two weeks. Aside from the tightness in my face, I lack moisture because I haven’t been eating well or taking care of my skin the same way. Therefore, the pollution in the air and damaging sun has fully absorbed into my skin. Thankfully, I found a quick solution that was in the fridge—watermelon.

Watermelon is full of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, potassium, and magnesium. Watermelon is also an antioxidant which is great for beauty purposes to fight wrinkles, fine lines, and aging. It is a great thirst quencher for a hot summer day or when you just don’t want to eat, like I haven’t lately. Watermelon boosts the body with energy with high water content so you can skip out on a few things.

When purchasing my watermelon, the important thing is to find a sweet, juicy red filling. You can look at the ends of the watermelon to distinguish whether or not this watermelon is good—the smaller the circle, the more red the filling. The most important way to find a juicy watermelon is to pick up the watermelon and tap it. If you hear or feel and echo of vibrations, that means the watermelon is full of juice. The best thing of course is to buy a watermelon slice where you can see the inside of the watermelon, the redder the better.

My variety use of a watermelon:

• Watermelon rind – Using the tasteless part of the watermelon, rub all over a clean face and neck for five minutes or so, leave on for 10-15 minutes. I suggest cutting your watermelon out of the rind and not using left over bitten up rind because it will be a lot smoother and easier to glide along the face. Doing this made my skin automatically smoother and cleaner. It also helped to brighten up my skin and provide color to my skin again. I did not look as dead as I did earlier in the day. All you really need is one rind, just have a pairing knife by you when you are rubbing all that goody into your face. Take off a thin layer when it starts to get dry and if you want to maximize your use, use the other side of the layer that you just sliced off because there's still a lot of juice there. You can use one rind (depending on size) two times rather just one so don't waste it!
• Watermelon and salt – It may sound weird, but salt goes well with a lot of fruits. Because many fruits are high in sugar, you should not dip fruits with sugar and replace it with salt. This generally helps those who have allergies to pesticides on fruits as I have written in my blog before. Just be sure to not use too much salt and overpower the fruit.
• Watermelon smoothie – Nothing beats having a refreshing blend of watermelon juice that is full of vitamins for the body. Blend it with ice and any other fruits of your liking instead of grabbing an ice cream for a healthy option.
• Watermelon puree – You can simply drink this watermelon puree, but I also recommend using it as a mask. If you have the compressed masks at home (like those that I picked up from a Japanese store in my last blog), you can just let the watermelon puree soak into the mask and leave it on your face and neck as a refreshing mask. It has the same uses as the rind, but better since you are using the part with the most vitamins.
• Watermelon scrub – All it takes is a cup or two of blended watermelon and lemon juice stored in a fridge for a week prior to use. This scrub will exfoliate and relieve your tired skin, adding color and cleanse to your natural color.
• Watermelon Soju – I think this is the best way to have a watermelon for many people. Although I don’t drink, I love the thought of incorporating soju and maybe a little sprite for fizz (and to lighten the alcohol) for a healthier drink. I admit, I like making things for others to enjoy because I enjoy making others happy :]

There are so many ways to incorporate watermelon into everything you do, try mixing up your watermelon with other fruits for a fruit salad. Look into other way to incorporate your watermelon into your beauty. You can add equal amounts of cucumber juice for a refreshing mask or close your open pores with a frozen ice tray of watermelon juice and crushed mint leaves. Remember, be creative!