Hello, 2015!

I'm not sure who's still reading this, but hello and welcome anyway, dear followers!

I started this blog as a film review site, which became a beauty review and OOTD site, which then became Cantonese lyric translation peppered with technical posts.

Since then, I have become a lot more active as a photographer on DeviantArt and launched my site, neuroplasticcreative.com.

I am a full-time software engineer, shooting on film and making art in my spare time. I appreciate all of the feedback and support you can give!

According to the traffic reports, this blog is getting a few hundred hits per month, mostly to the lyric translations - so there's a good chance that's why you're here. I fully intend to continue translating LMF, 24HERBS, and my little airport lyrics when I get the time.

As usual, feel free to drop me a comment / provide feedback on translation quality / check out my site / check out my DeviantArt profile / buy my print / request translations or reviews / send me items for review (check the Contact section for contact details) / or just say hi!

Thanks for looking!

OS X 10: Create and host a simple HTML webpage on Apache and access from an iPad, non-Mac user friendly

You don't need Goodreader, Diet Coda, or anything fancy. Just follow the steps below.

1. Open the Terminal (/Applications/Utilities/Terminal)
2. Type whoami to see your username
3. Then type sudo pico /etc/apache2/users/(your username).conf (unless it's already there)
4. Paste this:
   <Directory "Users/(your username)/Sites/"> Options Indexes MultiViews AllowOverride All Order allow,deny Allow from all </Directory>
5. Save and close by hitting Ctrl + O and Ctrl + X
6. Create the folder /Users/(your username)/Sites/ and drop a test HTML file in there (Terminal: cd ~ then open .)
7. In the Terminal enter sudo apachectl start (sudo apachectl stop to stop it)
8. Open Safari and go to http://localhost/~ - it should display your test page
9. Open Network and check the machine's IP address
10. On the iPad, open Safari and go to http://(your IP address):80/~

See here or here if you encounter any problems when trying to run the server etc.

Beauty Routine, 2014

I realised in shock yesterday, that my Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Foaming Face Wash and TRESemme Naturals lower sulfates shampoo contains PARABENS!! So I set out to replace them.

As of today, here is my beauty routine - paraben-free, hypoallergenic, natural where possible:

Morning ~

NIVEA Daily Essentials Cleansing Mousse
Hada Labo Shirojyun lotion
Sana NAMERAKA Isoflavone Wrinkle Eye Cream
Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Day Cream SPF 15

Night ~

Tea Tree Oil by The Body Shop (when needed)
Annmarie Gianni Herbal Facial Oil for Normal and Combination Skin + Neroli toner
 -OR-  
Trilogy Age Proof Replenishing Night Cream 
-OR- (when I don't want any oil at all)
Hada Labo Shirojyun lotion
Sana NAMERAKA Isoflavone Wrinkle Eye Cream

Shower ~

Sanex Dermo Moisturising body wash
Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser
Naked Detox 2 in 1 Shampoo
Arm and Hammer Enamel Care Sensitive baking soda toothpaste

Dorcas Barry

The aforementioned interesting facts:

• Water intake goes to every organ first other than the skin, so your skin is a good indicator of hydration level.
• Lemon tastes acidic, but it is actually an alkaline food - the citrus acid converts to alkaline. 
• The Philips juicers designed by Jason Vale are apparently good. 
• Rub kale together with lemon and salt to soften and make it easier to digest.

[BEAUTY HAUL & REVIEW] iMomoko.com

I got a new job recently, so why not!

SITE | iMomoko.com
Fast shipping, and the site is pleasant to use with adequate product descriptions - onto the haul!
 

 

Click for larger pictures! c:

1. CUORE K-Pallet Cover Control Okuma Concealer in 02 Yellow Beige
2. NARIS UP PARASOLA UV Cut Mineral Cool Powder SPF50+ PA+++
3. MY BEAUTY DIARY Morning Whitening Pack 

REVIEW | CUORE K-Pallet Cover Control Okuma Concealer in 02 Yellow Beige     

I am running out of my Maybelline Pure Cover concealer, and I think it's not the exact right shade anyway so I went for this. Yellow tone is good for covering black/blue/purple dark circles. It works well enough for me (I have very dark shadows under my eyes), almost too well that it gives me a bit of reverse concealer, but I'm happy with the staying power and ease of application. Cute bear on the packaging too!

REVIEW | NARIS UP PARASOLA UV Cut Mineral Cool Powder SPF50+ PA+++     

I decided to try this because the MAC Blot Powder I picked up in Dublin Airport really wasn't doing the job - it seemed like it lasted about 3 minutes before my face got oily again (and I don't have oily skin). This NARIS UP powder has a cuter case with a mirror, and more useful puff (I dropped the MAC one twice in a week)!

This powder works very well and lasts the whole day for me, and I'm really happy with the SPF50+. One thing to note is that it gives a slight white cast and you need to reapply it around the mouth area (where it's easily wiped off throughout the day) or you might look weird, depending on how pale you are. It's a bonus for those who like the pale look, and I think the sun protection makes up for the white cast, which is definitely not as dramatic as the white cast of some BB creams. I'm happy with the purchase!

REVIEW | MY BEAUTY DIARY Morning Whitening Pack

This pack is great value - I got it for $25, and it contains:

• My Beauty Diary Lemon-C Whitening Mask 5 pc  
• My Beauty Diary Black Pearl Mask 5pc  
• My Beauty Diary Arbutin Mask 5pc  
• My Beauty Diary Peach Repairing Lip Treatment 1pc

I've only tried the Arbutin mask so far - definite brightening effect, though you need to use it a few times. I accidentally laid it on my top lip and there was a whitening effect o__o; I thought the lip treatment was simply a lipgloss - it's a really cute peach colour which should flatter all skintones. It didn't feel sticky or oily and lasted well enough.

Let me know if you have any questions about the products or service! ?

Hobotic Hollister [1 outfit]

hat: Sammydress

necklace: gift

top: Hollister

pants: [Hong Kong]

do not be afraid [3 outfits]

 

jacket: Topshop (customised)

jeans: Penneys

flats: Barratts

bag: Religion

Nothing's ever lost forever

 

cardigan: Tesco

scarf: handmedown

pants: [Hong Kong]

bag: Coach 

No one's ever lost forever / They are caught inside your heart

 

dress: H&M

skirt: Penneys

flats: Barratts 

time to let go of all we know

t-shirt: TWLOHA

shirt: River Island

cardigan: Tesco

pants: [Hong Kong]

Jewellery

Necklace

The MMM  H&M bracelet was the beginning... now I'm beginning to discover the type of jewelry I like. 

If I could afford it and if it were available to me, I would have staples from Harugin. Simple silver, skull motif.

I looked in vintage stores today. I like big statement necklaces and bracelets, which are somewhat unusual. Not too "glamorous" (too much bling or gold) or "ladylike" (too delicate or sparkly). Not too plasticky (I wish Fred Butler's designs were more backed with metals!). I discovered a Clare Bickford-Smith collection recently, which looked cool.

I fell into like with Vivenne Westwood due to the popularity of the jewellery in Asia and Japanese street fashion and J-rock/NANA, but I'm beginning to question it. It seems too common, not edgy enough - nice orb, but it's just "nice". Too wearable. 

MMM x H&M

Maison Martin Margiela x H&M

I really wanted the nude acrylic wedge shoes, but this is cool too! It's now a week past the launch, and with only one store carrying it in central Dublin, I didn't have my hopes up, so this was a nice pick-me-up. To be honest, the Anna Dello Russo collection caused me to ignore MMM, expecting the same (no offense, ADR, but there were like 50 of those gold flats on sale). I'll be more vigilant next time...

Dublin tidbits, summer 2012

Basics (plain t-shirts, etc.)

• M&S: Overpriced and boring; €8 for plain v-neck t-shirts.
• Penneys: The cheapest at ~€3.50, but they don't last long and have a strange choice - no v-necks but plenty of round-neck and long-sleeve t-shirts.
• New Look: Nice designs, but not much basics.
• Forever 21: Yes! Nice loose v-neck t-shirt for €4.75, looks hardier than Penneys quality. 

Dr. Jart at Boots

• Korean BB cream brand Dr. Jart spotted in Jervis Centre Boots for €28 - €30! There are four variants in the range, not exactly labelled Black and Silver Label as in Asia. But is it better value to order from a Hong Kong online store?? It's 168 - 188HKD from AdamBeauty.

Bubble tea

• New Vietnamese food and bubble tea place has opened next to my hair salon of choice, IS Organic. I think the name is Aoboba - who cares when they have refreshing green or black tea with fruity bursting boba! One drink with no extras is €3.50. 

Strawberry refresh green tea with strawberry boba.

The Lipstain craze

• I trekked into every Boots looking for the Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balmstain in Honey, but it was sold out everywhere...opted for Maybelline's Colour Sensational Lipstain instead in Tender Rose, and it turned out to be perfect! It's very sheer and a fun, buildable pink - lasting power isn't bad, either. 

Natural History Museum

• The Natural History Museum is surprisingly fun to visit with friends!

I'm leaving for Dallas, TX in four days - can't wait! Here's a photospam to make up for my absence...

Sheer "galaxy" top and burgundy shorts from Penneys.

Sunglasses from my old landlady, turquoise top from H&M.

My favourite Android photo apps lately have been LINECamera, Camera360, and PhotoWonder - all free :)

POP 15 Spring/Summer 2007

Agyness Deyn, New Club Kids theme

Anna Molinari

Pills by Chanel

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