fireworks

braved the crowds and went to the fireworks festival again this year.  we went 2 years ago but went a little late and ended up standing in a random street to watch.  this time, we staked out a spot on the grass by the river, but it was cold!

pinterest project

ever since I moved in august, I've slowly been trying to make my house a real home.  in my previous two places, I settled a lot on design because "this is korea." 

this time (since I finally live in a place bigger than a shoebox and more than 1 room), I decided really invest in things that make me happy.  I had visions of beautiful frames and artwork on the walls, but alas, my walls are mostly made of concrete.

so, i started browsing pinterest for lightweight diy wall art and found this gem.  it was so easy!  I couldn't find a square canvas so I picked up a smaller rectangle one at alpha for 3,000.  I also couldn't find gold push pins at daiso or the like, but I ended up finding them at a homeplus. (ended up using about 7 packs)  I just sketched the ampersand on the blank canvas and started pushing!  the wood around the edges was kinda thick so I did have to use a hammer for those parts. 

overall, I think it looks great and can't wait to put it up somewhere.  although, with all the pins it got kinda heavy..so hopefully a sticky hook will hold it!

lovely eyelash story~

i finally got eyelash extensions!  with another trip to the philippines coming up, i thought it was a great time to give them a try so i don't have to wear any makeup while on vacation.

i followed the directions of removing all my eye makeup before my appointment.  however, because i removed my mascara at school, i quickly curled my lashes before the commute to the salon.  apparently i shouldn't have done that because the eyelash girl (technician?) said they might not last as long since my lashes were curled.  good to know for next time, i guess.  i did wash my face the night i got them and noticed a couple fell off already..i tried to avoid getting my eyes wet, but oh well.  i haven't seen anymore noticeably fall out yet, almost a week later.

i'm overall pretty happy with them.  they look very natural and almost just like how they would look if i curled and put on my favorite mascara (kiss me heroine make long & curl), but so much easier!  doing my eyelashes takes the biggest chunk of time in my routine so slapping on some bb cream and going is a really great time saver.  i'll probably get them done again.  it's not super cheap,  at 45,000won, but much more affordable than what i've read about american prices!

getting my hair did in korea x3

I have short hair again!  it's getting so hot and i was itching for a change.  since my last perm a year ago, I got a couple haircuts and was left with semi straight hair again.

about a month ago, I went to lucy hair for the second time to cut the last remaining bits of perm and decided to get a magic straight (because i've gotten so used to air drying).  the straight perm kind of just looked like my hair did before I started going curly.  I guess it does dry a little smoother though.  200,000won poorer and I was left with a hair style that I felt very meh about. 

I knew I couldn't get another digital perm any time soon since I had my hair chemically straightened so I started thinking about going short.  I haven't had short hair in 4 years or straight hair in 3 so it was about time!

I didn't want to go back to lucy because of my indifference to my previous visits and the high price by korea standards (35,000won..3x what I used to pay in my old neighborhood).  there's a small hair shop right around the corner from my new house (in yeonhuidong) that I had been eyeing for a while and finally just decided to go there.  I took some screenshots of me with short hair and of gwyneth paltrow's lob and walked out with a great cut.  she cut my hair almost entirely with a razor which I really like.  I didn't ask how much it would be, but it was right around my old price of 13,000won including a nice blowout.  now that is value for money.