Friday morning role plays

I am in a mediation clinic and part of our class is mock mediations. Every week we rotate. I've been mediator once. I've been crazy lady all the other times.

Last Friday, I defended a restraining order filed by my neighbor against me. I accused my classmate of stealing my boyfriend. I told her I was going to "kick her ass" and that my daughters would kick her ass too. Yves and I started yelling at each other. Our mediator, poor Azan, asked us to respect each other and respect him.

My professor provided me with some pictures of smashed pottery and graffiti that my character was convinced that Yves's character did. Yves asked, "How do you even know it's me?"
"It's your handwriting," I responded.
"How do you know what my handwriting looks like?" she countered.
"It's on the complaint!!" I threw at the sheets of paper at her. Since my professor created the graffiti and the complaint, the handwriting matched. Our mediation coach suggested to Azan that he should separate us since we were getting out of hand. Azan said, "I think it's good to get the feelings out. Besides, I think my colleagues are having a bit of fun."

This is why I don't mind going to a 9 AM class on Friday mornings.

tip(s) of the day

The other day, I browsed the aisle of prepared food at the Koreatown Galleria with a packet of bibimbap in hand. This little Asian lady scurried out and started tagging all the food with bright orange 50% off stickers. I followed her, curious to see what foods were on sale. She turned to me, looked at the packet in my hand and tagged that too! Turns out all pre-made food is 50% off after 7 PM at the Galleria.

Also, never eat crackers when you are unsure how old they are. They also spoil. I still can't get that acidic taste out of my mouth. Ick!

yikes

Hon is deploying in June. He's going to Afghanistan. I know he's not my concern anymore, but it still scares me a little. I asked him if he's scared, and he said that he's made his peace with it. It's been so long, but I still care and I worry about all the things that could possibly happen to him, over there and when he gets back. I guess you can't really choose what to feel, but given the choice, I'd rather worry about him than pretend he never existed.

KofFAIL.

I have a favorite spot in KTown. It's called Koffea. Someone is definitely dropping the ball since I haven't been banned yet. I come almost everyday. I bring my own extension cord. I hardly ever order anything. I never park in their lot and a couple of weeks ago, I yanked their lock from the bathroom door, on accident, of course. I can't seem to manage my Herculean strength.

I turned the handle. The door wouldn't open. I turned to ask my friend if that meant the door was unlocked. He said, "You have to pull really hard." I did. There was a scream. Someone was inside. Of course. How else would the door be locked if there wasn't someone inside. I quickly slammed the door shut and retreated to my corner. My friends laughed.

The aftermath:

lace braid, pt. 2

I love these. I hope this braid trend doesn't die any time soon.







I don't know why I have the scarf over my head, but I kind of like the look. ha.

purple smokey eye tutorial

1. Prep eyes with a primer. I used Urban Decay Primer Potion. My friend Nancy convinced me that it's essential to holding the shadow in place. I think it really makes a difference when you blend. It's easier to get a gradient since the shadow stays put.







I put the primer up to the top of my eyeball, near the socket. Some women apply all the way to the browbone.

2. Apply a silver shadow all over the eye. This will be the base color.





3. Darken the outer corner using a black shadow



I used shadow color #1 from Smashbox's Beauty A Go Go palette. It's a matte black (no shimmer).



I stopped about a third of the way in. I used a fluffy brush and made circular motions starting at the outer corner of my eye. I started at the crease line (not the lashline) and worked my way inwards.

4. Add purple eyeshadow. I chose a matte plum from the same palette (shadow #2). I used the same brush and started at the lashline and worked my way inward, using circular motions. I stopped at the inner corner of the lid.





5. Highlight at the crease. I used a shimmery pearl pigment from Laura Mercier. It looks peachy but on the skin, it looks like an iridescent purple.



I used a big fluffy brush to add a little bit of pigment. Be careful to not overblend! You want a gradient.





6. Line eyes with a gel liner. (Pencil is okay too.) I used MAC's Blacktrack gel liner. Sorry the pot is SO gross. I've had it for almost 2 years now.



Start from the outer corner and work your way inward, using small strokes. Get as close to the lashline as possible.



Without dipping the brush back into the gel, line your lower lashline about halfway in. You can line all the way into the inner corners if you want. I'm still trying to figure out which technique I prefer.



7. Curl your lashes and apply mascara. I always heat up my lash curler with a hair dryer to get a longer lasting curl. I also use a waterproof mascara (either CG Lashblast or Diorshow) to keep the curl. If you're going to use falsies, this part isn't that important.



Don't forget to apply mascara to your lower lashes!!

8. Line the lower waterline with a white eyeliner. This brightens the eye.



9. Finally, I brushed a pink shimmer stick on the inner corner and near the top of the crease. I used Maybelline Cool Effect Shadow Liner in Ice Princess.



(I have the actual product pictured below, but there's not that much left.)



From right to left: pink shimmer stick, gray brow pencil, white eyeliner

10. Done!





Optional:





Cargo foundation, Too Faced blush in Agent Provocateur and Stila convertible lip color in Lillium

shopping in my closet

Dug up an old shirt and pair of patterned tights. I resisted tights and leggings for so long---it's about time I get with the times. Eff pants. The skirt is from F21 and necklace is from AE.




Two-toned shadows. Resurrecting another old make-up technique. Wear one color on top and one on the bottom. The purple gives an unexpected touch.