Sunday, February 7, 2010 · 2 Comments
Let’s face it…my 1st week on Lilash was a little rocky. I had constant eye irritation, and pinkness. BUT, as it turned out, it was my own fault — I was applying way too much on my eye.
So Week 2: I learned my lesson and applied only one swipe of the Lilash solution across the eyelid every night.
The results: no eye irritation! (WIN!). Also, after 2 weeks of daily use, I can definitely see my eyelashes are more FULL and voluminous. As for length: I can tell that they’re slightly longer, but it hasn’t grown to mutant lengths….yet!
Here are the comparisons:
Click here to compare to my lashes “before”.
Categories: Beauty Spot · GO U ASIANS!
Tagged: Asian Lashes, eyelash growth, Lilash
I’ve made it blatantly clear that I want to wear glasses. Don’t ask me why, just always have. I love eyewear as an accessory, but I refuse to be “that girl”. You know, the one who wears clear-lenses glasses.
I’ve tried everything in my power to try to mess up my eyesight and make me eyewear-eligible: I read in the dark, I’m always on my computer…hell, if I liked TV more, I’d be sitting a foot away from it every night.
But alas, I know I’ll be cursed with good vision until I need reading glasses.
This morning, I met @styleit at Ilori to help her select her newest pairs of Chanel frames. Naturally, I had to try on a few pairs of my own hypothetical frames.
I fell in LOVE with these Oliver Peoples frames. $325. I don’t know the style number, so I’ll lovingly refer to them as my “If I Were a Hipster” glasses:
Then there were the “If I Were a Russian Prostitute” glasses:
*sigh* Even if my eyewear fantasies can’t be fulfilled soon…at least a gal can dream and continue to try them on!!
ILORI
138 Spring Street
New York, NY 10012-3854
(212) 226-8276
www.oliverpeoples.com
Categories: Lust Caution · Wears
Tagged: eyewear, Ilori, Oliver Peoples
Friday, February 5, 2010 · 5 Comments
Got a call today from my office lobby, “Uh, you have a pizza delivery. Please pick it up.”
I’m thinking, “I didn’t order a pizza. Hello, I’m lactose intolerant.”
The box LOOKED like Pizza…
But inside was SO MUCH MORE:
Our department got the most INCREDIBLE delivery, courtesy of the gals from BeautyBlitz.com (with a lovely note from Momma Blitz herself, @beautyblitz!). 
I’ve always walked by the Baked by Melissa stand, on the corner of Spring and Broadway, but I’d never tried it because of the long lines. She specializes in home-baked mini cupcakes.
Each come in a variety of inventive, fun flavors. Different icings: sour cream, buttercream, vanilla, mint… The cakes are all moist and NOT TOO SWEET!
They are adorable and the perfect bite-size. It’s the best for someone like me, who likes to try a bite of each flavor!
Here’s a more close-up look at our flavors:
←PRETTY!
Thank you to the Beauty Blitz team for making our ENTIRE WEEK with this delectable delivery!!
(and thanks to my team for patiently waiting while I snapped these photos!)
For more information on these cute mini cupcakes, check out: www.bakedbymelissa.com!
Baked by Melissa
529 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(212) 842-0220
Categories: SeoulFOOD
Tagged: Baked by Melissa, cupcakes, NYC
Thursday, February 4, 2010 · 12 Comments
Last Sunday, I went to see my Nail Art Homegirl, Megumi at Sakura Nail & Spa – UES.
I usually get my nails done around the 1st and 15th of each month (hello…payday!). But this time, the 15th falls RIGHT in the middle of NYFW. So this design had to be cute enough to cut it for the 1st half of Fashion Week…
Although I had a lot of fun with the red nails, I felt like they looked a little off when I was wearing Pink lipstick or Burgundy, or they didn’t match my outfits. So I knew I wanted to go back to a black & white design.
I had seen this design a few visits ago…and I’ve been stuck on it:
I could tell by the thought bubbles going off in Megumi’s head…that this was not a simple design. But she took it on! First, she did a base coat of Biogel.
I’ve found that since I’ve been rocking a much longer nail length, I really prefer Biogel as a base. My nail designs seem to hold up longer without any lifting. So she did 2 coats of Black Calgel on the ring finger + 2 coats of bright white Calgel:
Then she took some black acryllic paint with the UBER thin line brush.
She did these lines to serve as guides:
Once the guides were set in place, Megumi painstakingly filled in the gaps with 2 coats of Black Calgel. This took a long time but she did SUCH an incredible job:
Then, she added rhinestone designs to both the ring fingers. I asked for a heart on one hand, and a star on the other. Note: un-beknownst to me…rhinestone stars are actually quite difficult to create free-form. So Megumi had to draw an outline first with silver glitter liner and then fill in with the rhinestones.
After the rhinestones, she added a mix of black, gold and silver holograms for the finishing touch….
Here are the finished looks!
I have to say, it’s one of my favorite designs!!! thanks Megumi!
Sakura – UES
1709 Second Ave
New York, NY 10128
(212) 722-1334
Categories: Nails
Tagged: Black & White, CalGel, Japanese Nail Art, Sakura Nail Spa
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 · 7 Comments
Call me old fashioned, but I love the way WHITE looks on people. It’s truly flattering and it looks clean, elegant and youthful (I sound just like Momma Park, SMH).
I’ve always wanted to wear a white bra top to Bikram class. But ladies, you know the formula:
- WHITE + WATER = SEE THRU!
As much of a rambunctious spirit as I am, I’m definitely modest in a lot of ways. Showing my nips in class is not something I strive to do (nor would Momma Park approve).
Much to my delight, my friends at Yogabela told me they just started double-lining their white bras!! And yet, I was still skeptical. So I got the Yogabela Rio Y-Bra in white to put it to the sweat test!
*here’s the back view
So, while I was in Miami, I dared to try it (somehow, showing nips in front of strangers = less embarrassing than showing nips in front of regular yoga buddies).
Outcome: NO NIPS!!
It is now one of my most favorite bras. Finally, a workout white that I can wear without worry! I’m planning on buying the Yogabela Praia Roll Down Short in the Denim color to complete my ensemble! (kinda like an “all-American” blue jeans & white tank yoga outfit)
Hurray!
Yogabela Maringa Bra, $42.
Categories: Wears · Yoga
Tagged: Sports Bra, White, Yogabela
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 · 3 Comments
The last time I was at Sakura, the gals told me they got a bunch of new nail stickers in — one of them was LACE! I didn’t know what I wanted to do with them, but I was curious as to how they would look.
Luckily, Eleazaida was daring enough to try them! Homegirl’s nails look chic and edgy. And the great thing is, her nails weren’t super long, and yet the design worked well with her nail shape & length!
Eleazaida visited Sakura UES for her appointment, and it just so happened she visited my new Nail Steady, Megumi!
Here’s her nail experience:
“Normally I get my nails did at Sakura downtown but I was coming from my house in Harlem…
I knew I wanted black and white and decided to do all black and the ring finger white, and remembering that the uptown location does 3d art (I’m a regular at Sakura Downtown with Hitomi-almost felt like I was cheating on her today) so I decided to go for some 3d art and saw cute bows in Nail Up and was set on the design.
Megumi mixed black pigment with clear calgel to make a BLACK black and used white calgel.
She did Biogel as my base because I told her I was having some issues with lifting. She said that some people’s nails react that way to the Calgel and often do better with Biogel as a base. (That’s usually what I get done too!)
She actually used a black powder to make the bow using a techinique very similar to how they do acryllics. I was going to do some black stones but them Megumi remembered she had the lace trim and well the rest is history.
I’ve been doing Calgel since the summer and I can tell you it’s worth every penny. My nails grow too long and I have to trim them and they are so strong.”
Here’s Eleazaida’s final look!
Much much thanks to my girl, El for sharing her nail design and her experience at Sakura!! (follow her on Twitter — @eleazaida)
Don’t forget to get yo OWN nails did for New York Fashion Week with the SeoulDiva Discount at Sakura!
Sakura Nail & Spa – UES
1709 2 Avenue, New York –
Categories: Nails
Tagged: CalGel, Japanese Nail Art, Lace Nails, NYC, Sakura Nail Spa
While I spending another wandering Saturday walking around my favorite city, I walked past this storefront on Great Jones with this inviting sign outside:
I literally back-pedaled to go back and walk in.
What is this heavenly place?
JAPANESE PREMIUM BEEF
57 Great Jones Street
New York, NY 10012-1118
(212) 260-2333
This isn’t a terribly big store. The front area can’t be any more than 8′ x 10′. But clearly, that’s all the space you need to be a meat dealer.
Essentially, this is a Bespoke Butcher that specializes in Japanese cuts of meat. From what I can tell, the prices scale a little on the “Whoa, are you kidding me?” side. But the quality of the meats is undeniable.
They will custom cut the type of meat you want, but they also have some that are pret-a-porter: pre-cut and vacuum-sealed to grab and go.
They even have a variety of Japanese sauces.
And, of course, the Zagat’s seal of approval:
As I was leaving, I saw 2 other passersbys walk past, stop, walk back to gawk at the meats on display, then walk IN to the store. Red meat on display draws them in like a moth to a flame, I tell ya!
If you’re ever in the neighborhood, check it out!!
Categories: New York-isms · SeoulFOOD
Tagged: Butcher, Japanese Beef, Meat, NYC
Monday, February 1, 2010 · 4 Comments
It’s officially been one week since I started using Lilash. So far, the experience has been bittersweet.
The SWEETNESS:
In just a few days, I ALREADY noticed my lashes were more full and voluminous. I’m not sure if I can tell if they’re LONGER, but definitely more full.
Click here if you want to compare to last week’s!
The BITTERNESS:
My eyes have been abnormally pink and irritated ALL WEEK. Not mildly so, but more like, “OH, your eyes match your blush color” kinda pink. I even had to embark on a search for anti-redness eye drops to fix the situation.
(I thought it might be a little unbecoming to show, so click here if you want to see how irritated my eyes actually get.)
After tweeting about my abysmal eye situation, a few fellow Lilash users guessed (correctly) that I was probably using too much on my eye. After a much closer inspection of the directions: because Lilash is so concentrated, you are only supposed to do a SINGLE swipe across the lash line.
- @makeupholism: @HeatherPark maybe you’re using too much… I’ve been using Lilash for 5 months, no complains, you will love it.
- @kuuipo1207: @HeatherPark I also cut down my usage after the 2st few weeks from morning and night to just night b4 bed. Helps alot & still does the job.
So I’m happy to report that there is LESS irritation, but still some pinkness. But I really don’t want to stop using Lilash before my lashes can see their full potential. So I guess PINK will be the color of my eyes for the next few weeks!
www.lilash.com
Categories: Beauty Spot · GO U ASIANS!
Tagged: Asian Lashes, eye irritation, eyelash growth, Lilash
Friday, January 29, 2010 · 2 Comments
I consider myself a very beauty-involved gal. “Involved” meaning: I use no less than 4 products on my face every day. (and let’s be real: 4 products = Heather going to do laundry).
But for being so beauty-involved, Mascara has never been part of my beauty routine. My sparse, Asian, stick-straight-down lashes were so FUTILE, I never even bothered with it.
But since I’ve embarked on my Lilash regimen, I’ve been so hopeful that I’ll have a long, full, plush and voluminous lashes…I’ve already started trying out different mascaras in anticipation!
MAC recently launched Studio Fix Lash on December 26th, but I never tried it until this week. I’m so old fashioned with my mascara that I’ve always preferred a full-bristled brush for my lashes — for some reason, I always felt like a fuller brush = fuller looking lashes.
So I was a little skeptical when I first pulled out the MAC Studio Fix Lash wand:
But after applying it, I’m officially a FAN:
- AMAZING FORMULA: The MAC website says it’s a “new lightweight mousse formula”. I say: “It’s like using Extra Hold Mousse on your lashes!” The formula definitely more lightweight than others I’ve tried, and it even SMELLS more hard-core.
- FAB BRUSH: I thought the moulded brush would make it MORE prone to clumps, but I actually find the opposite to be true! The strategically placed, firm bristles means there isn’t “gunk” stuck inbetween them — gunk that would normally transfer from the bristles to your lashes. LURVE.
- EXTRA-HOLD: Usually, regardless of what I put on, my lashes usually start wilting after a few hours. But I feel like my like this formula seems like it holds WAY better than mascaras.
Here’s how it makes my lashes look!
MAC Studio Fix Lash, $13.
Categories: Beauty Spot · GO U ASIANS!
Tagged: Asian Lashes, MAC Studio Fix Lash, Mascara
Thursday, January 28, 2010 · 10 Comments
In December, I read the O Magazine article (first of two) written by Paige Williams about her 60-day Bikram Yoga Challenge. Essentially, Paige found herself in a place where many of us have once been and can relate to:
- She’s 80 pounds overweight, divorced, out of work, and deeply in debt. She needs a physical and spiritual overhaul. Can 60 days in a Bikram hot-yoga studio really undo years of damage?
Well, whenever I’ve felt lost, depressed or hopelessly in despair, it’s usually been when I’ve been delinquent from Bikram. And as soon as I go back, it’s not like my problems vanish — but I am better able to cope with them, emotionally and mentally.
I must thank Paige for inspiring me: I JUST finished my own 60 Day Challenge today! Originally, I had started off doing a 30-Day, but after reading her inspiring story, I went for the full 60. (why not, right?)
How did a 60-day differ from a 30-day? Well, for me:
- PHYSICALLY. Of course, anyone who does ANYthing for 30 consecutive days will undoubtedly experience a change in their body. But to do 60 consecutive days was something different altogether. It’s beyond APPEARANCE — I’ve never felt more physically fit and strong than I ever have in my life.
- DIET: I’ve a heightened self-awareness of what I eat, drink and use on my body. I can more clearly feel a direct correlation between the kinds of foods I eat, and how I feel it in class the next day. Now, I naturally reach for healthier, fresher foods, less red meats, more vegetables…I also try to cook my own food more.
- FINDING JOY IN THE PAIN. There are certainly postures that you love, and those that you absolutely hate. Over the course of the 60 days, I became more at peace and was able to easily surrender to ALL the postures — regardless of whether I love or hate it.
- EXHAUSTION. Maybe this is something unique to me. Because I practice in the mornings before I go to work (and live in Astoria), I have to wake up at 5am in order to get to class comfortably. Sometimes if I have to entertain editors at night, I don’t get home until 10pm. It just makes for a very long day.
Bikram is a huge time commitment (arrive roughly 30 minutes prior to class + 90 minute class + shower & change = 2.5 hours). But if you have the luxury of time to do either a 30 OR a 60-day challenge, I highly recommend it!
Not only will it change your practice, but (as Paige Williams shared in her article) it can also help you change your life.
Namaste.
www.bikramyoga.com
Categories: Yoga
Tagged: 60 day challenge, Bikram Yoga, O Magazine Paige Williams
