Becoming Conscious

I have thought about the responsibilities I have as a human being to myself, to my species, and to the rest of the planet that I inhabit. It seems to me that the world appears to be in great - and perhaps at times, endless - turmoil. Turn on the news and you quickly hear of killings, robberies, and wars. But there are also truths we rarely see (especially here in the United States, with the media being so selective of what it portrays) and realities far more gruesome than we may like to acknowledge.

Merchant and Rhoades in Chicago

P.O.S.H. in Chicago

They Joined a Motorcycle Gang

Space519 in Chicago

Review - Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask

Don't be alarmed! It's just me, experimenting with face masks on the last day of summer hours at work (which means that last Friday I got out at 12:30pm!!). I prefer experimenting with masks and treatments when I'm alone, or when I can have free time away from the family, mostly because they - my mom especially! - aren't really accustomed to putting much on their faces (thinking about my mom's face now, smooth and acne free makes me think that she's definitely doing something right!) so I like to try them away from judging eyes.

For the Love of Metal

New addition to the ring collection (which is really quite non-existent, actually). Debated buying the ring for a while, and asked myself countless times if I was really going to wear it. Well, since I bought it, I haven't really taken it off. Serves me right for doubting myself!

Mission Blue - A Documentary

Such a wonderful documentary about the state of the Earth's oceans. It really tells us that just because the surface looks the same, it doesn't mean that the inside isn't dying. Maybe we should apply that to our everyday lives, and start changing the way we perceive nature and our connection to it. I would really, really, recommend watching this. It's on Instant Play on Netflix, or rent it somewhere. Worth watching!

The Little Things That Could - Part 5 (Final)

The fifth, and final installment in the series: The Little Things That Could (if you haven't read them: 1, 2, 3, and 4), let me give you a bit of insight about my hair. It's sometimes wavy, it's sometimes curly; and it is always frizzy. For years I struggled with my hair shape and texture, and a few butchered haircuts left me afraid of hair salons and brushing. I now cut my hair in the privacy of my own home, and if I fuck it up I have no one to blame but myself; brushing was left for hair-washing days.

The Little Things That Could - Part 4

The Little Things That Could - Part 3

The second second installment of "The Little Things That Could" is all about my infamously chapped lips and the two products that have helped make them less sandpaper-ish. Something that wasn't pictured here, but goes a bit with last post's theme, is exfoliating my lips. There really isn't much point in applying a bunch of lip balm to peeling and disgusting lips (mine can get pretty damn bad!), so I usually combine honey and brown sugar, or coconut sugar, to exfoliate.

The Little Things That Could - Part 2

Nails. I've talked about them several times here and here and needless to say, I like my nails to be in order. Chipped manicures give me a twitch, and I suffered for a while from peeling nails. As a teen, I used to have the habit of taking off my polish in the shower...by scraping it off...I probably don't need to tell you just how bad that is for your nails, since you end up scraping off the top layer of your nail as well. Then, the debacle with the no-chip manicure caused my nails to become brittle, peeling, and essentially awful. Aside from incorporating a healthier diet into my regime (I say this while I eat a coconut macaroon, but we're allowed cheat days, right? Right?!), I also incorporated the products above.

The Little Things That Could - Part 1

This series (with a total of 5 parts to be posted throughout this week) is all about the products that have been my saving grace for the past month or so. I have been trying to regain some semblance to balance in my life, as a major breakout had greatly affected my self-esteem - let's face it, it happens - and going to work with a blotchy, acne-covered face seemed really painful and made me self-conscious.

New Things Are Coming

Now, I don't mean to gloat....however, I have finally purchased a new camera! After a few years with a Nikon 70D, and using my Samsung Note 3 the past year for taking pictures, it was time to get a camera that could take IWTH to a new level (and of course, it's such a fun toy!). I didn't get a point and shoot, only because I am convinced that those cameras are nowhere near as efficient and cool as the SLRs. Plus, I really want to expand my lens collection, film some videos (new projects!), and try new techniques on photography. I might even consider buying the VSCO Film (please tell me if you have used it and think is worth the price!), but I'm not too sure yet. Below are some of the test shots I took with the camera.

What do you think? Since I am super excited about this camera, I'll be posting a several new things, even if it means doing most of the writing during the weekend, since it becomes a bit difficult at times during the week because of work. Get ready for lots in IWTH!

Downtown Disney - A Visit

Finally, some pictures from Disney Town! I had the most delicious seafood platter there, that genuinely made me rethink how I eat seafood - no need to fry it, people! And that cocktail at the top was by far the most delicious non-alcoholic drink I have ever had.

I'm going to take this moment to recall a time not long ago, where I could wake up at 10 (but not really) and live by the motto "hakuna matata".

Favorite Products

I'd apologize for my absence, and promise never to be gone for so long...but we have the kind of relationship where you can honestly call my bull. But in all seriousness, I have genuinely been busy! Now with a full time job, no internet access (recreational, anyway), or Instagram (that is definitely the saddest part about my lack of 4G at work!), I am left with very little time to actually work up the strength to come up with something interesting.

To start off my round of apologies, here are my favorite things this month. Call it a "Monthly Favorites", but not really.

Pictured above are: Chanel Imitable Mascara, RMS Beauty Living Luminizer, Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black, Revlon Colorburst (in a color I can't recall at the moment), Sephora Clear Mascara, and Lush Colour Supplement

Taveling South - Floride and Tennessee

So I've been a bit MIA for a bit now (I know, more broken promises - more shame on my part!), but with good reason! I was traveling to Florida and Tennessee two weeks ago, and...I got a job! Which means less free time to enjoy myself and do whatever and take pictures, and add to IWTH. Anyway, here are a few shots of the trip!

Don't know why, but I seem to have lost all of my beach pictures (which weren't that many, honestly). I also realized - too late in the game - that for $20 you can buy a waterproof camera, which would have been really awesome for taking pictures in the ocean. Figures I would forget!

I'll try my best to come up with adventures to share! But work (i.e. cubicle) life just isn't that exciting (but the money it brings is!!).

Brand Focus: Lush Cosmetics

I had heard of Lush products quite a bit recently, but it mostly revolved around their famous bath balms. Having passed by their store many times, only until now did I venture inside. And let me tell you, their stuff is great! Smell-wise, the place gets an A+ and the girl helping us was very nice and an excellent sale-person because I walked away with a few products.

Let's Talk About: "The Ladies"

This might seem like a strange conversation to have...but maybe not! Talking about bras today on IWTH:

A Stroll Around Chicago

Whenever family or friends visit, you are kind of required to show them around a city they have never visited - and do all of the touristy things you are expected to do. This is what we did all of Tuesday of last week (I know, it's a bit late). Walked Chicago for hours and ended walking around 14 miles!! Crazy, I know. But it was a wonderful time.

Hair Products - Toni&Guy and Vatika

I am not a particularly high-maintenance person when it comes to hair either, and I find that adding product to my hair just makes it greasier and weighed down. I wash my wavy/curly hair (it has a mind of its own) (I used to hate my hair so much in high school!) every 3-4 days on average. My scalp gets oilier the quickest, and my ends can get pretty dry. Since cutting my hair, however, I've tried taking a bit more time to style it and take care of it. And here is where these products come in:

Raw Tuna Tostadas

I'm apparently quickly turning into a food blog. Or, it might just be that with all my new free time, I have been cooking (and eating) far more than I should be. Either way, I made tuna tostadas and they were absolutely delicious. Some people might not be too keen on raw fish, but everyone at my house happens to love it so....here it is!

Vegan Orange and Chocolate Cookies

During a quick run to Jewel to get condensed milk for the rice pudding my mom was making that evening for a class she tutors in (though she ended up not taking it!), my brother and I found some chocolate chip cookies we could enjoy ourselves. After all, that day was national chocolate chip cookie day (so that definitely excuses our indulgence, right?!) and we had to partake in such a holiday! Organic, dairy-free ones were bought, and that got me thinking about how much better it would be to make them at home. Enter this: Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe from a site called Daily Rebecca.

Weekend Update

With Enough Coffee Anything Is Possible

So a lot happened this week. Finally the project has been presented and...my team won!! (ah!) (I'm so full of excitement still that I can't quite get over it!). But now that that's over, my time at university is just about winding down and nothing too big is left. Some papers, but nothing more. To say I am excited about the future would be an understatement.

Merz Apothecary in Chicago

The lack of content on the site is thanks to that engineering project I have been talking about. But finally, this weekend the device was completed and on Tuesday it will be presented at an exposition. There is a competition associated with the presentation, but since this won't really affect my grade in the course, I'm not too nervous about it. However, this weekend I was finally able to enjoy myself a little and these pictures are the product of that enjoyment!

After four years of walking around Chicago, Friday was the first time I came across Merz Apothecary - much to my mom's dismay and excitement. We were in a small paradise, and found countless brands and products I would normally not see (or have to purchase from Amazon).

One Crazy Week

Sunday Inspiration #5

A Week of Favorites

Marc Jacobs wallet//Nivea Tinted Moisturizer//Bath & Body Works lotion//Blistex Lip Medex//Coconut Oil

Dreams of Spring

Here are some of the things I am wishing I had or anticipating to wear once spring is really in Chicago. Although it's in the mid 60s today, weather says it is going to drop back to the 40s tomorrow, which is obviously very depressing. Where is my spring?!

Sunday Inspiration #3

Still fantasizing about the lunch I had earlier today. Have I mentioned how much I love sushi? Because...I do!