Memorial Weekend Vacation

Ahh..This weekend was so much fun, I just back into Dallas around 5 or 6 on Monday. My dad just spontaneously took us to San Antonio this weekend. We went to the River Walk and rode on the Fairy, we went to Sea World, shopped at mall after getting lost looking for an ice cream shop in town, and went to see the Alamo.

When we got to our hotel Friday evening we soon placed out items in the room and headed for the River Walk. The place is magnificent at night, as my sister said ", This place really lights up at night, just beautiful." I tried taking pictures of the nightly wonders of the River Walk but my camera really fails at taking pictures in dark areas even with the different settings. Even though the place was beautiful, it was really crowded and with the long walk, it was a bad   idea that I decided to wear flats. When we got back to our hotel room we were exhausted, however, my mother was keen enough to notice we had ants in our room, complained, and we soon got new rooms closer to the outdoor parking lot area. Very convenient when it came to moving the luggage around.

Saturday we spent majority of the day at the River Walk, we rode the Fairy and I took tons of photos all throughout the ride. Our tour guide was very sweet and humorous in her tails about the River's history, along with the monuments along side it. After the ride we went to look for an ice cream shop, turns out there is NO Braum's Ice Cream at all in San Antonio as our GPS proved and since our GPS was NOT updated we went to three supposed ice cream places and found them non-existent. We finally stopped at a mall to my suggestion to finally eat dinner, and we found two ice cream sellers inside. Too bad we had already eaten our dinner...After we ate I found an A'Gaci store which has long been closed in my area, so I went in with my sister and bought 2 tops. It was fun talking to the cashier when she asked me for a store card and I told her how they closed their shops in Plano.

Sunday we went to Sea World. It was really great going back again after a DECADE! Yes, the last time I was there was when I was 9...and I have got to say, the Shamu show was not that great since my last visit, but as I found out later from the cashier at a souvenir shop, it was due to the killing of a trainer girl last year in San Diego. As she said, "they have to avoid almost any body contact with the killer whales now." Scary. Despite this, all the other shows were awesome. I especially recommend the Azul show, it has birds, acrobats, swimmers, comedy, and dolphins. Sadly, both my mother's and my camera ran out of batteries at this show.

Monday we all woke up early to pack our luggage and sign out of the hotel. After that we spent a few hours at the Alamo. I have to admit, I was kind of disappointed at the height of the monument, I thought it would have been plenty taller and wider. And not to mention only the main front is still standing. Though the real surprise was inside the monument. I was caught off guard when the officers confronted me and said I had to take off my hat and everyone must put away all cells and cameras. As my sister said, "it is to show respect to the people who died here long ago, the place isn't just a monument, it is a grave tomb." She was right, because we soon came across a sign on the ground exclaiming "At this spot archeologists found bones of four people, and was placed back on [date]." When I saw the sign I felt a chill down my spine, it then hit me that I was clearly walking on someone grave and I wanted OUT! So as we exited the main building of the Alamo we went outside to the museum portion, there was a lot of excavated items there. Really beautiful.

I'm BACK!

First off, I would like to apologize that I haven't blogged in a while. There was school, studying for finals, and I mean really studying, since I was close to failing one class or two. However while I was away, in my free time I would read up on other blogs, or as all girls do, go hang out with friends or do shopping. I went to Scarbrough Fair with two friends and my family on Sunday, after that we went for Ice Cream!! It was a ton of fun, and also possibly the last time I'll ever see one of my friends since she is moving to Houston this June 1st. I'm not really sad that she is going, but I am happy and grateful that I met her this semester, as we came to be as close as sisters! It really is amazing what can happen between people in such a short time period.
 This is the fairy we saw at the fair, my sister got in front of her, so as the girl turned my friend accidentally took a picture of her. The photo came out pretty good though. ^_^ As for this photo, this is the ice cream we got, haha my friends are copy cats! We all ended up getting chocolate chip cookie dough.
And sadly my plans of going to the Anime Convention this June 7th have been canceled since I need to save money for college textbooks and art supplies for my summer classes. Well, there is always next year!

So as to get things started for the summer blog topics, and in no particular order:
10 year old fashion designer
make up tips suitable for all skin tones
basics of sewing
Hunting Games personal book review

My 19th Birthday!

Wow, today is my 19th Birthday!
I really wasn't expecting it to be much of a birthday, since I have usually had a history of either bad or awkward birthdays. In fact, I wasn't even willing to look at my cellphone or FB profile 'till tomorrow, because I usually ever only have 4 people at most who congratulate me. >.< That's not including my immediate family...

Well, today is the first time ever I got so many people whom remembered my birthday! ^__^
I know it's lame, but I really counted how many too. I even got my 1st birthday phone call by a friend!
So, yeah today, I really feel loved and happy! PLUS, I got to eat a Oreo Cheesecake!

This is what my cake would have looked like BEFORE I decided to eat it at breakfast! (This photo is from another site) 

Cool Skin Care Tips

Japanese 5-step Skin Care
Okay, So last year during the summer out of pure boredom, and while I resting my head on my fist like I usually do when I'm bored, I noticed "hey, my skin isn't all that great" and I noticed this while viewing some Japanese dramas. I then started to ask myself, "why is it that their skin always looks so perfect? I want that too!" So I did a bit of research, and found this site:http://beauty-tricks.com/beautyblog/?p=57. This site tells the Beauty Tips from Japanese Skin Care, for example how they have 5 steps in their regime while, us Westerners only use 3 steps to wash our faces, for example, cleanse, tone, moisturizer and DONE! They don't work that way, and after following their 5-step regime I found my face is a bunch cleaner and just feels healthier, and this is since starting these steps in the summer. >.<, So I suggest you try it.

Summary of that sites instructions:

"5-step Regime:

double-cleansing --->massage/mask*--->toning--->essence---> moisturizer

*masks are recommended for 1 - 2 times a week only unless directed. Most essence type masks are recommended to be applied AFTER toning unless otherwise stated." (I usually mix the massage into cleansing and using exfoliator ^__^)

How to Massage the Face

International Beauty Secrets

Apparently, all over the world, everyone has their own beauty secret that they sometimes don't bother sharing with anyone else. I know some only because my mother and aunts were nice enough to tell me. (:
Though I only know very little, here are a few other websites of international beauty secrets that I thought were interesting:

• http://www.total-beauty-secrets.com/international-beauty-secrets.html
• http://searchwarp.com/swa227256.htm
• http://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty-and-style/international-beauty-tips?page=0 

My own tips.

• Baby oil can be used to remove make up! Especially mascara and eye liner, even waterproof. Since my Mom taught me this, I don't use anything but this when I want a quick and fast make up removal. And it can be used to moisturize skin, as we all know. ^_^
• Rose water is not just a food ingredient, but can be also used as a toner to help relieve dry skin. 
• Lemon juice can help with digestion. Its best to use one slice with water, since its gives you extra vitamins and minerals. Not only that, lemon juice can also be used to lighten scars on your face.
• Walnuts are Omega -3 rich, a powerful anti-oxidant. This will help skin looking youthful, and help hormone regulation.

Worried about Blemishes?

Stop Blemishes
Clean and Treat
As with most Acne prone skin, the skin is oily, so its best to try over the counter cleansers that contain Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide, Glycolic Acid, this is to help dry out pimples and the skin. However, if it too drying, use an oil-free lotion after use, skip the toner unless your skin is very oily. If its just a simple pimple, try putting tape or a band-aid on it to dry it out, or calamine lotion, it has some drying effect to it as well.
With acne prone skin its best not to use a scrub so you don't risk irritating your skin. If you do, you have chances of skin swelling around pores causing more breakouts.

Cystic Pimples?
Some cystic pimples are hard to get rid of, for example here is what some look like:

These pimples are under the skin, and it usually takes a trip to the dermatologist to heal them. Though one way to heal them at home is to put on a warm compress and then dry it up with Benzoyl Peroxide.

Sunscreen!
As usual it is highly recommended to use sunscreen, put on a oil-free type since this is best suited for acne skin. Apply it over the entire face and neck, and where ever else skin can be seen. One day out in the sun unprotected can reverse acne scar treatment, causing sun spots, and moles. Try getting a sunscreen that has at least SPF 15 or higher.

Concealer
Use a concealer brush or your fingers to apply the concealer. Put it on dark circles, sides of the nose, lips, chin, where redness is seen. And of course, put concealer on the blemish directly, and blend into skin.

Got extra redness?
No problem, try using cortisone cream to reduce swelling, or apply a bit of ice on it before make up.
Also try Preparation H,  or if going to a formal event and you're worried about blemishes, go to the dermatologist and ask for specific treatment, for example a cortisone shot, bunches of dermatologist websites recommend this.

Acne Prevention

I know everyone will love to see some of the ways I found out that can get rid of acne, because lets face it, the first thing people HAVE to look at is the face. When the face has even a single noticeable blemish, it can leave a certain impression on people.

There are several factors as to why acne occurs.

• Hormones- more specifically, androgens (male hormone), and when the levels of this hormone increase the sebum glands enlarge and make more oil. More oil on the skin = more clogged pores = more chances of pimples.

• hormonal changes, for women, that means your period, a pregnancy, or starting/stopping birth control pills

• Genetics- plenty of researchers and dermatologist believe that acne can be hereditary. There have been studies shown that prove this. For example, studies show that when looked into the back ground of many school kids with acne, it was shown that there was a family history of acne.
• Stress- prolonged stress is a very well known factor of causing acne. It can cause acne flare-up and WORSEN the condition. Stress cause sebum glands to overact making more oil for your skin.
• Medicine- let's face it, every medication has been bound to have some form of side effects. The ones to watch out for mostly are ones that contain androgens, lithium, and barbiturates. These have been found to cause acne.
• Cosmetics- the type of cosmetics is also a factor. If its too greasy, chances are its time for something new. If any of your make up products are oil-based and its causing acne, its time to replace it with a water-based formula, and it is advised to look for products that are meant to prevent breakouts that say: "noncomedogenic" or "nonacnegenic"
• Environment- the most common thing, in my opinion, that causes acne is pollution. The more pollution and time one spends outside in it can cause acne.

Finally, here are some of the preventive actions that can help stop acne:

• Make sure to wash your face, it helps remove dead skin cells, bacteria, and most importantly the oil that's built up on your skin. (Do not be to rough because your risk over drying your skin!)
  
• If you use hair gel, or hair spray make sure your hair isn't touching your face. These products usually contain oils that agitate the skin.
• After exercise, or if you were in areas that make you sweat make sure to wash your face to clean up the excess oil. If this option doesn't suit you, make sure to carry oil absorbent sheets.
• Body Acne? Try wearing less tight clothes since friction may be a factor.

The Food Factor:
There are foods that have been shown that help make your skin more healthy and beautiful, but I'll leave the explanation for another time.

Introduction

Hello everyone, my name is Nigella. I am still deciding what this blog should be about. I know it is sad as to the fact that i haven't completely decided on anything yet though I have already created it. I'm ever the indecisive bunny. >.< Hence the title my friends helped me come up with, ImpulsivelyFluky= Impulsively Random. I guess I'll go with the basics of what I know and want to help other people know, such as basic skin care, beauty and sewing tips, game reviews, and others. I really don't know, this blog is filled with millions of possibilities! Hmm? How about I tell everyone a little about myself. I am an artist, I have been one since my sister taught me how to draw my very first cartoon. It was a freehand drawing of Sailor Pluto. ^^. However, today I am not just able to draw cartoons, but i'm able to paint with some skill and interested in some forms of Illustration. Although, there is still along way to go as far as skill level for me, there are other things I love doing with my hands as an artist; origami, hand made jewelery, gift making,etc. I just love it. In my free time, I love playing RPGs, reading Manga and watching Anime. My current favorites are Naruto, Kimi ni Todoke, and I love to read Hwang Mi Ri's manwhas. The plot, the herions, the art, I love it all. There is so much more to say about myself, yet I will leave that for another time. (Sleepy) Thanks for reading, Nigella