8 good reasons to get yourself a new 'do

it's been a while already, but i love this not-that-new-anymore haircut of mine. i can't believe i cut it so short on a whim. my conversation with the stylist went like this:

him: "so what can i do for you today?"
me: "i wanna get my pink color re-done, and trim my hair. it's getting too heavy and i can't style it the way i want to." (note: i usually cut my hair every 4 to 6 weeks, because it grows out fast and i hate it when the layers start weighing down and my hair gets limp and flat. i have VERY fine and thin hair.)
him: "ok. so do you want to just keep the style or cut it?"
me: "cut it?" (the thought hadn't crossed my mind)
him: "cut it?"
me: "ok."
him: "huh? did you say ok? wah you decide really fast. so how short do you wanna go? about shoulder-length? or short like a bob? or "
me: "oh ok."
him: "hah? which one?"
me: "short like a bob. oh, but let's try something asymmetrical please."

i've since looked in magazines and see how some models dress their hair up and i almost miss my long hair, but heck, i'm totally living this short hair now! and besides, it's just hair. it'll grow back one day. but for now i think i like my hair short!! i get some odd power surge from it. weird!

i can never, EVER, understand how some people can go for months without getting their hair cut or at least trimmed. i can't! i just found out that i have a friend who only goes to the salon once a year and i was like, "WHAT?!?!?! ONCE! A! YEAR!.....??????????"

then i realise that this is the same friend who complains all the time that her hair is unmanageable!!

doh! (in a homer simpson kind of way.)

as you can see in my previous post, "10 ways to finding a style that's 'you'", a hair cut or a hair color, really does make a huge difference in the way you look. those 4 pictures there, were taken within the last year. and no, i'm not kidding. the bottom two were of me in almost the same cut, but one color was much lighter. i quite liked it though, cos i'd draw crazy eyeliner and walk around trying to be a rockstar. hee hee. then the hair became much longer and i dyed it a dark maroon purple (the official color name was wine gelare. how cool is that!!) for a while, then streaked it again, then it's pink and short now!!


eight bloody good reasons and signs, that you should get a new cut

1. you get mistaken for someone else
has someone ever tapped you from behind on the shoulder, and said, "hey! how've you bee... oh sorry, i thought you were someone else!"

is your hair style so common that just about everyone else on the street has it? take a look around you and count how many people sport similar cuts to yours!

2. your friends say "you're still the same."
this can mean many things. personality/mentally-wise, i think if you haven't changed and gotten stronger than what you used to be, this can also be a slight problem. looks-wise, it can be a real compliment if you look as young as you used to, and haven't aged a bit. but consider it bad news if you fish out a photograph from 5 years ago, to find that although you have 2 new wrinkles, you have the same haircut....worse, you're in the same clothes too!! (you need to upgrade your style and your wardrobe, just like you upgrade your computer!)

3. you have split-ends.
there is absolutely no excuse. in fact, stop reading this and go to the salon NOW.

likewise, if the ends of your hair are all dry and nasty, cutting them all off is your best solution. no amount of serum is gonna make you goldilocks. hair ends like that are a fire hazard beyond repair and you're better off snipping them off and starting over.

4. someone asked if you cut your hair yourself
there are people who
a. cut their own hair, and when people find out they go,"wow you look amazing! how do you do it so nice?"
b. cut their own hair, and people ask, "do you cut your own hair?"
c. don't cut their own hair and in fact, hadn't had anyone cut their hair for quite a while, and people ask, "do you cut your own hair?"
if you had to ask yourself, "is she talking about me?" to either b. or c., then yes, i am talking about you.

5. you spend more time on your hair than on your face
styling hair shouldn't take you that long, unless you're a fashion model who's about to walk down the runway, and even then, you don't have to style your own hair.

my regular hair styling routine goes like this:
step one: apply leave-in hair protecting lotion/creme/serum ... 3 seconds?
step two: blow dry and use fingers to style hair into shape ... 5 minutes tops
step three: stand a little distance from the mirror. stand too near and you can't judge the overall balance of your hair style! using one finger, scoop a bit of wax or rubber or mud (depending on the style i want), press onto palm of other hand. rub both hands together to spread and warm up the styling product, rub into hair. make sure to only give it a light coat and not apply too much. rub into roots, scrunching here and there.
step four: take a little more styling product if necessary. always apply a little at a time, then build up! if you apply too much at one go, your hair will just look oily and heavy and stuck together, and altogether very gross. style hair keeping in mind the overall balance. when done, twist ends of hair to form little spiky things.
step five: if extra oomph is needed, use a comb and tease hair. or if the wind is howling outside, reach for some hairspray and spritz it just a little, to keep style in place. if unnecessary, step back and look in the mirror. look left - check. look right - check.

and you're done!! the entire process should definitely not take more than 15 minutes, and if your hair isn't already wet, just 5 minutes should really do the trick. (of course, if you're adding pins or tying up your hair in a certain way, it's a different story.) any longer and it's a hint that you really aren't able to cope and manage your tresses anymore.

6. you're in a ponytail 24/7
do you find yourself pulling your hair into a ponytail, or putting it into a loose bun, or pinning it in a certain way everyday? is it because you like it that way, or is it because you're just trying to hide how dull it makes you feel? be honest now.

7. limp
a very fabulous, and very funny, and very gay hair and make-up stylist (my friend from bunka) once remarked, "limp hair, is just as bad a limp d*ck. you don't wanna go there dahh-lin', just snip it off." he meant the hair of course. snip an inch or two off, or keep the length if you want but layer like mad, then watch as your hair literally springs back to life!! "unfortunately, it's not so easy to solve the issue of a limp d*ck."

words cannot explain how hard i laughed. it was the way he said it, the expression on his face. god i miss my friends in tokyo!!

8. when you make new friends, they think you are (add your real age + 10) years old
then they get honestly surprised when you say you are really (your real age). seriously, there cannot be a better reason than this as to why you need a new cut or a new hair style!


it's a fact that shorter hair can make a person look younger, and take years off their real age. if you like your hair long, by all means, keep it long. but remember, long hair or short hair, please keep it in tip-top condition!!

oh, and if you've answered "yes" to any of the above 8 signs, take a photograph of yourself, and stare at it hard. then pick up your phone, call your stylist, and arrange to go in for a session. after all, it's the weekend!! i'm sure you can fit in a couple of hours at the hair studio! take another photo after you get your new hair style/cut/color/revolution!! isn't the difference just simply amazing?? send me your "before" and "after" shots if you want, and i'll post them up here so you can show off to the world. (or rather, the 3,000 or so people who see my blog. shucks. i wonder if i should be sad.) hee hee! <3

fabulousness

l3antha just sent me some photos of her new 'do. i've got one word: WOW!!!

before


after

how cool is that cut?? and best yet, she cut it herself!! she said, "i had been wanting to revamp the style for the past few weeks or so, and tonight, i finally grabbed the scissors and hacked away at it..." amazing. plus, i can so picture this cut in so many different colors!! besides this gorgeous orange, i think it'll look sooo cool in platinum silver, fire-engine red, brown with streaks, or super jet-black! i love it!!
go look at her blog and see more of her brilliant new cut!!

xoxo i love all 3,000 of you,
gilda

10 ways to finding a style that's "you"

in a world such as ours, where outward appearances count, can we really afford to be living like slobs, hoping that people will see through all that, and look straight through to our inner beauty? as much as we wish that people will stop being so materialistic, the fact is, that appearances do matter, whether we like it or not. how we portray ourselves is important, much more important than some of us would like to admit.

first impressions are crucial. just ask yourself this:
have you ever looked at a person, made a face, and said, "oh god, what in the world was he/she thinking when he/she left the house this morning? yuck! " and have you ever caught a glimpse of someone's disgusting yellow-almost-brown teeth, got a shock, and could not concentrate for the rest of the conversation, because all you could think of was the person's teeth?

i know i have. i'm sure we all have. after all, we're human. and we judge. that's what humans do. judge.

i'm not saying that you can't dress down on days when you're too lazy, or if you're just going out to grab a coffee. but then you might also run into the hottest man alive when all you've got on is ugly underwear and sweatpants and unruly eyebrows and even worse hair. and then what?

"inner beauty may be more important, but exterior beauty has immediate impact." - daniel goh, editor of style magazine

my advice to you, just like how i spent an hour lecturing my friend the other day when i met her with dirt under her nails, is to find your own personal style, and to groom yourself well. it only takes a small little detail to turn someone off.

i believe that you can never overdress. i believe in finding what works for you and working it to the limit. i believe in having your own style, a look that is uniquely you. i believe in living life to the fullest. i believe in living according to your heart, whether you are angry, sad, or happy. i believe in love. i believe in accessories. i believe that confidence is the ultimate accessory.

"style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn." - gore vidal

(of course, if you're intent on being a dirt-under-fingernails, sloppy kind of person, then be the best dirt-under-fingernails kinda person you can be!! even if that sounds super gross.)

you might be wondering why i say 'have your own style' instead of something like, 'be fashionable'? because, honey, fads fade and trends come and go, but your style, something unique to you and only you, remains in people's memories forever. i'm all for buying a new, trendy belt or pair of shoes, but honestly, i get them cheap and never pay much for those, unless they are something that i feel really suits my style. after all, why spend thousands on something, when it'll only be oh-so-last-season in less than 6 months? as you pay for it in hard-earned cash, as you whip out your card and sign your name, designers all over the world have already come up with something new in their atelier.

need more convincing?
here are some quotes that i've gathered over the years, and have pasted into my scrapbooks. i think they speak louder than i ever could.

"fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." - oscar wilde
"'style' is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma." - john fairchild
"the difference between style and fashion is quality." - giorgio armani
"fashion is what you adopt when you don't know who you are." - quentin crisp
"fashion is made to become unfashionable." - coco chanel
"create your own visual style. let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others." - orson welles
"style is the perfection of a point of view." - richard eberhart
"style is the dress of thoughts" - lord chesterfield
"fashions fade, style is eternal." - yves saint laurent

that friend of mine wasn't convinced. she refused to be. she told me that she wasn't interested in fashion, and that it had absolutely nothing to do with her. she works in a bank, wears shirts and suits all day, but cannot imagine spending more than 10 minutes getting ready each morning!!! i was flabbergasted!

so i searched through my quote book for it and emailed her these:

"people think that fashion is all frivolity and done by people who can't do proper jobs," says writer, adrian gill, "but issie (the amazing isabella blow) understood that it is very, very serious business in terms of civilization and culture. it's the one piece of culture that every single person in the world participates in. not everybody reads poetry or listens to music, but every single person in the world gets up in the morning and puts on something, and whether you like it or not, that's a statement about who you are."

"fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." - coco chanel

i totally agree!! so unless you're like goldie hawn and russell crowe (who apparently parade around their house naked), i suggest you start looking into what sort of image you're portraying through your dressing.

you don't need to wear something spectacular everyday. you don't need to be decked out in the most expensive brands. but you do need a look that is you and uniquely you, because our style is something that reflects us, and that, darling, never goes out of style.

how?

1. personal grooming is basic
clothes are one thing, but before you put them on, you've gotta remember that personal cleanliness, hair, and teeth, are probably the most basic things that say a lot about you!! this is a very important issue that i feel cannot be emphasized enough. do something about your teeth if they are stained and yellow. if you have body odour, proper baths and a good deodorant might be all you need. and please, don't pile on the perfume too much! no one wants to smell you before they even see you! spend time each day grooming yourself. animals probably spend the bulk of their day doing so, so a little time a day isn't gonna kill you.

personal grooming is also about having some manners and class . always say your "thank you"s. learn how to say "sorry". show respect to others. live by example. do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

2. get to know your body
take your time, and get to know your body and its shape. learn what clothing silhouettes, shapes and patterns look good with it. make a list of what you like about your body, and what you don't. then look for fabrics and cuts that will hide what you hate, and emphasize what you love. no one's perfect, and even celebrities hate many things about themselves. why else do you think plastic surgeons are so bloody rich? however, with more knowledge and through experimenting, you'll soon learn what looks good on you.

3. keep a scrapbook
i have like 8 of these books, compiled over the years, filled with pictures and magazine cut-outs. i tear and stick pictures of men, women, and even children. it doesn't matter whether i like their particular sense of style, or whether i think that it will look good on me. what matters is that it looks good on them, and that they look comfortable in their clothes. i feel that somehow, their clothes almost tell a story about them. so i cut them out, and compile them in books that i can refer to. i especially love it when someone comes up with a new way of wearing something; a piece of clothing paired with another, or an accessory, that i've never thought of using before. i also cut out pieces of clothing items that i love.

of course, to do this, you'd need some good magazines. vogue is always good. so's elle, although i dislike many american magazines because there's more ads than content. i also love mostly japanese fashion. my favorite is this magazine called soen. it is japan's first fashion magazine, and was started by my former school, bunka. all hail bunka!! woohoo!! soen's the best. it's different from the runway stuff that you see in vogue. it has the best of japanese designers and it's all about being unique. i subscribe to it and read it like an addict. other japanese magazines i love are fudge, zipper and cutie. i also buy kera sometimes, although it's more of a goth, lolita magazine, because a friend of mine is their model and boy does she have style. i also adore magazines like street, fruits and tune. all 3 showcases the best of tokyo's, and sometimes the world's, most gorgeous street fashion.

4. keep a style bible... or at least a "pictures" folder on your computer
other than scrapbooks, keep photos of yourself. i take photos of myself and my friends really often. i carry a camera everywhere! i do recommend taking lots and lots. it's always good! not only can you keep them for memories' sakes, and look back on them 10, 20 years from now and smile at the good times you've had, keeping a photo diary also helps you look back on previous clothing coordination. looking back on what you've worn, you'll learn a lot about what you look great in, and what you look not-so-brilliant in. you'll be able to tell that that shirt goes with that skirt, or that top should never be worn with that pants again. photos also tell you how you REALLY look to others, which is kinda different from what a mirror reflects back at you. also, do you go crazy like me sometimes, when you've taken at least 10 outfits out from your closet, your room's a total mess, and you're running late but you're screaming, "i have nothing to wear!"? having a style bible means that you could flip back and refer to it on those mornings when you absolutely CANNOT think of what to put on.

i also take photos of my friends and with my friends. like i said, you can look back and smile on them later. it's a great nostalgic feeling and photos help bring back memories when your brain fails you. sometimes when i see my friends in really great clothes, i get them to model for me so i can take their photos too. likewise, when i see people with great style on the street, i sometimes go up to them and ask if i can take their picture. i keep all this in my style bible, just in case i want to refer to it one day. looking at people with so much style is very inspirational!!

one other thing i do is, i get a photo taken in one of those photo booths, everytime i get a new haircut/color, and every birthday. i've been doing it forever.

it's just a boring, smile-at-the-camera kind of photo, but it helps me keep track and document all my previous hair styles. i cut my hair every month, and change my hairstyle and color every other month. some hair styles made me look super fat, some made me look like a rock star, and some made me feel good about myself, so doing that helps me to look back and learn about myself. i also flip through it for ideas, whenever i want to change my hair style. that's why you'll never hear me go, "i hate my hair!"

ok i DO say it sometimes, but it's only when my cut has grown out (my hair grows really fast) or my color has faded and i'm dying to get it fixed.

5. if you're uncomfortable in your clothes, trash it
there's nothing more i hate than seeing someone all dressed-up, someone who should be looking like the center of attention, but keeps wiggling and even scratching at themselves all day, just because what they forced themselves to put on doesn't fit, or itches or whatever. they only look stupid!! i once met a girl who wouldn't sit down to have tea, because her dress was too tight and it might split. i thought that was the dumbest shit i'd ever heard.

gilda radner once said "i base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." if you don't feel good in what you're wearing, people will be able to see that, and they will be able to see that what you're wearing, just isn't "you".

6. find a trademark, something signature you
all of us are different, and what you might dislike about yourself, could be what makes you memorable. think cindy crawford's mole. many people i know hate their moles, but look how far she's come with it!! and what about jennifer lopez? i think she definitely works that ass. (and mine's probably just as huge. hah!) whether you like their "assets" or not, they are good examples of how it makes them memorable. it can also be a particular accessory, like a person who is never without his sunglasses. there is this great tv personality in japan called tamori-san, and he is never, ever, without his shades. when people in japan think tamori, they think sunglasses! having a trademark helps people remember you.

an unusual choice in clothing can also be your signature style. like this amazing cartoon artist from japan called kazuo umezu, who only wears red and white stripes. everything in his house is red and white stripes. or this friend of mine, seri, who wears polka-dots everyday. a unique trademark that you like, can become your signature style.

7. remember: colors, textures and layering
experiment with colors, textures and layering. for example, if you're like me and you like black (i wear all black on some days), use those 3 rules to help make your outfit more interesting. adding a focal point with colors can really do something for you. like a bright red corsage on an otherwise boring black suit. or a chunky, interesting necklace on a little black dress. or a pink ribbon functioning as a belt, wrapped around a long black t-shirt. or even a really funky pin in your hair. if you'd rather just stick to black and only black, try different textures to add depth, like black satin with something tweed. or simplest yet, dress up with some super shiny enamel pumps. layering can also be very exciting. layering is a skill that comes with practice! i have a friend in japan who's so bloody good at it, she can wear like 5 layers even in summer. i aspire to be like her one day; after all, she's the only one i know who can mix checks with stripes with polka-dots and still look amazing. i also love layering black with greys, or greys with whites, or whites, beiges and browns.

exploring colors also means that you should really try colors other than what you are ALWAYS in. i know people who wear black and refuse to wear anything else, because they say it makes them look fat. to people like that, i'd say "throw out all previous rule books you might have secretly written in your head." if you feel you're not the type to go with loud colors, then at least try out browns, greys, blues and whites. you don't have to wear something psychedelic all of a sudden - after all, sudden changes will only make friends and family think you've gone mad. make small changes at a time (try the "focal point with color' trick!), until you've gotten used to it, and experiment again from there!

8. don't be afraid to experiment!! but more importantly, remain true to yourself.
try to experiment with different looks, while staying true to yourself. while you shouldn't pretend to be what you're not, including aspects of different styles can really broaden your everyday wardrobe. my look is more grunge and punk, but i'd try anything and everything. however, i usually add something to the outfit that is still very "me", so that i don't lose my personality out there. like i'd wear something rather ethnic and traditional, but add a leather, studded belt to the outfit. or i'd be all dressed up in a lady-like dress, but add some edge to it with a black crystal-encrusted skull ring. you don't have to spend big bucks on a look that you aren't sure off yet. just try going to a thrift shop for cheaper options, or better yet, borrow from your friends. i have some friends who have rather different tastes compared to mine, so i sometimes borrow outfits from them just to explore other options. for example, i'm sure you've always been told to stay away from white because it apparently makes you look bigger, but one day, i decided to borrow an outfit from a friend who is always decked out, top to toe, in white, and always looks amazing. i surprised myself when i put it on and decided from that day onwards, to buy more white clothes!

don't be afraid of making mistakes, everyone makes them and you can burn all photos and other evidences later! making mistakes will help you to learn more about yourself, and in time, this will also help you create your own unique style!

however, while trying out different looks is a good thing, remember this: never, ever, sacrifice who you are for the sake of fashion!! there's no bigger turn-off than someone who's decked out in branded clothes and screaming logos, just because they want the world to know they can afford it, and nothing more pitiful than a person who must buy that new dior bag, just because all her friends have already gotten it.

9. smile and be confident
a great smile and self-confidence, are two accessories you can count on to go with any outfit. they never go out of style. the world's most expensive label would look like crap on you, if you slouch your back, look down at your feet and won't look at someone in the eye. on the other hand, i know people who wear the cheapest clothes and look like a million bucks. be confident about yourself. i believe that unless you love yourself, it'll be hard for anyone to really love you. (because even though you have people loving you, when you hate yourself, you don't see that.)

you only look stupid if you feel stupid, so stand tall, push your shoulders back, and smile. feeling good about who you are is what's most important.

take it from coco chanel. the lady said "i don't do fashion. i am fashion."

wow.

10. above all, have fun!!
because what's the point of living, if you aren't having a good time?


psst!!! for pictures of gorgeous people, check out wardrobe remix.

update: excuse me? a day after i posted this article, i found this on the daily mail. according to them, beautiful people earn more than their ugly workmates. after reading this, i feel that if you work hard at your job and also at how you look, i think it's a win-win situation all around!

how to cook tamagoyaki

here's a guide to cooking tamagoyaki. "tamago" means "egg" in japanese, and "yaki" is "to bake/roast/etc", well all sorts of things, in other words, "to cook". so this is a version of the japanese omelette. there is another version, called dashimaki. "dashi" is "stock (usually made from fish or chicken or vegetables)" and "maki" is "roll". tamagoyaki is usually sweeter, and dashimaki is a little salty because of the stock base.

i prefer tamagoyaki, which is what you would normally find in sushi restaurants. you can eat it on its own, or with japanese rice, or you can also add bacon or whatever to the egg mixture before it's cooked. there are many different versions of the recipe out there, but here's what i have found to like best.

psst. i tried to take a video. but i realised i sounded like shit. also, i was concentrating on the egg and forgot what to say... and if i remembered what to say, i'd mess up the egg. so, pictures will have to do. heh.

ingredients (for 2-3 people)

4 medium sized eggs

2 tablespoons of sugar

1 tablespoon of mirin

pinch of salt

cooking oil

+ alternatively, you can substitute japanese cooking wine for mirin. or use about a teaspoon of each.

+ i like my tamagoyaki a little sweeter, and sometimes add half a tablespoon more. i also find that if the egg cools down or if you refrigerate the egg, it's less sweet than when it was just cooked so bear that in mind.


clock-wise from 4 eggs: some oil, small piece of paper towel, 2 & half tablespoon sugar, mirin, and japanese cooking wine.

tools
small rectangular frying pan
chopsticks or spatula (spatula for beginners!)
small piece of paper towel
+ if you don't have a rectangle fry pan, you can use a round one too. it's the same cooking method, just that you end up with a different shape!


steps
prepare the egg mixture.
1. if you can, before cracking open the eggs, leave them at room temperature for about 30 minutes. crack them into a mixing bowl just before you want to use them. use your chopsticks to beat lightly, but don't over-do it. just a few stirs is fine.
2. add in the sugar, wine/mirin, and salt. (the salt is meant to actually bring out the sweetness of the sugar)
3. once again, if possible, use a fine metal mesh sieve and drain the egg through it, so that the end product will be really smooth. but this is too much of a trouble for me so i don't usually bother.

two important things to remember before you start
ONE: spread the oil evenly all over the pan and make sure every spot is oiled!
TWO: roll the egg up before it dries and gets totally cooked!

yaki-yaki!
1.

using a medium fire setting, heat the pan up. oil the pan a little and spread it VERY well, using the paper towel to really make sure you've covered all grounds.

2.

using your chopsticks, "sprinkle" some of the egg mixture onto the pan. if it gives you a sizzling sound, you're ready to start. if it sizzles and turns brown immediately, make the flame smaller.

3.

pour a small amount of the egg mixture into your pan, enough to cover the whole pan. never pour too much or it just won't turn out right! you will see it swelling up, or bubbles forming. use your chopsticks and poke it to death! you don't want air to get in. then swirl the egg mixture around to fill in the "holes".

4.

when it is semi-cooked (it should still be quite watery), start rolling it to either the top or the bottom of the pan. make sure to do so when it is still not 100% cooked, or the layers won't stick together. it doesn't really matter which side of the pan you push it to, or how small your roll is. i usually just flip it in half, but you can roll it up a third or a quarter of the pan size.

5.

with the egg pushed to one side, using the paper towel, lightly oil the rest of the pan. once again, make sure to spread the oil well, or you will have problems rolling the egg up.

6.

pour in another thin layer of the egg mixture.

7.

use your chopsticks to lift up the rolled egg, and let the egg mixture flow in underneath. again, do not allow the egg mixture to swell up or bubble. poke it, then swirl it around to fill in the gaps.

8.

when it gets half-cooked again, flip the rolled up omelette onto the half-cooked portion. the most important thing is to make sure you roll it in before the egg mixture dries up and gets cooked. now you see why this is also called egg "maki"? because you're basically rolling the egg up as it cooks.

9.
repeat steps 5, 6, 7, and 8, until you have used up all your egg mixture.

10.

turn your fire to low heat. making use of the shape of the pan, lightly press the egg against the sides to make it rectangular in shape. (if you're using a circular fry pan, don't bother making it rectangle!) you can flip the egg around several times to lightly brown the sides. i like my eggs 80-90% cooked, so i don't leave it on too long. but if you prefer it 100% cooked, lightly press the egg down against the pan to get the insides cooked.

transfer to a plate, and cut into 1cm slices or thicker if you prefer. then,

"dekita!! tamagoyaki desu! cho--- umai yo!"
(done!! it's tamagoyaki! totally delish!)



the first time i did this, it was really difficult to flip and roll the layers around. well, i'm a really terrible cook. so i tried using a spatula and it was a lot easier. it also took me a few times of trying, to get the portions of sugar, mirin and wine that i personally like. now, i don't measure at all, but just pour straight from the bottle cos i know what i need to get it to taste the way i want it to taste! experiment until you find something you fancy! it looks difficult but it's really quite easy! even for me!

good luck!!! leave a comment or email me to let me know how it went! :)


ps: it can be eaten warm or cold, so if you store it in the fridge, you don't have to warm it up again before you eat it. i prefer mine a little chilled, or at room temperature, but that's totally up to you.

update!!

according to my fabulous japanese friend, michiko, who commented on this post, she says it also tastes brilliant with mayonnaise added to the recipe!! just remember not to use western mayonnaise, but the japanese kind. my favorite brands are kewpie and saralear by ajinomoto (yes, shingo is advertising for them). they are just as good but kewpie should be readily available worldwide. and by the way, japanese mayonnaise is so yummy, you can add it to just about everything.

beat the heat (part 2) - skincare

in my second part to surviving high temperatures without going crazy, i thought i'd cover some tips for summer make up. (if you haven't read my tips for beating the heat, read part1 too~!) but before i go into the make up bit, make sure you get the skincare correct. after all, according to shu uemura, japan's fabulous make up guru, "beautiful make up starts with beautiful skin". i thought that was more important. after all, it doesn't make sense for you to be layering make up on, when the base is all wrong. that's like painting on a dirty canvas. ugh. and yes guys, even if you don't use make up, skin care is still important!

in summer, we've got to worry about many factors: perspiration, dead skin, heat from the sun, pore-clogging dirt, global warming, and even dryness caused by air-conditioning, making skin dry on the outside and oily on the inside. but my belief is that if you take good care of your skin, and have a proper skin care regime at least in the mornings, shiny skin will be a thing of the past. i also believe in investing in good skincare products; buy the best of whatever you can afford.

in the mornings

step one: cleanse well.
using warm water and a good cleanser of choice. pay particular attention to your t-zone, where most of us get a little oily in, or the u-zone, where adult acne kicks in.
+ i have been using avene's cleanance soap-free facial cleanser for years, which should be good for normal/combination/oily skin types. it's gentle and does it job well, without stripping the skin of its natural barriers.
+ to remove make-up, i swear by shu uemura's cleansing oils. i love his high performance balancing cleansing oil : fresh. used correctly, it removes all sorts of make-up, even heavy heavy eyeliner. and you don't even need to cleanse again after that.
+ also try cult-favorite mario badescu's enzyme cleansing gel.
+ i feel biotherm and lancome also have some very good products to suit anyone's skin needs.

step two: tone/lotion.
many people believe that toning is nonsense. however, i feel it is extremely essential, to prep your skin before moisturising. i don't usually use a toner that contains alcohol, but when my t-zone feels particularly naughty, i do. when using one that contains alcohol, saturate a cotton pad or ball with the solution, and pat all over skin, taking care not to drag too much or to go near your eye area. if it has no alcohol, i like to pour it into the palm of my hands, clap my hands together a couple of times to spread and warm the lotion, then pat it into my face. all over. finally, when you're done patting the lotion in, either with your hands or with a cotton pad, using the palm of your hands, place them over your cheeks, then forehead, chin, and neck, for a few seconds each. the warmth of your hands will help the absorption of the lotion. the idea is to sort of "push" the lotion into all your pores!! think of that while you're doing it! i swear this makes a huuuge difference! (in fact, they did a "test" kind of thing on japan tv before and the results were amazing!)
+ although pricey, i swear sk-II's facial treatment essence, also known as 'miracle water' is really a miracle in a bottle. ok because it's rich in pitera, it kinda smells a little. but ignore all that!! this is a brilliant product! it moisturises and clarifies your complexion so that you radiate from within. it also leaves your skin feeling plump - in a non-fat kind of way. i think the right word is supple. when i was plagued with acne, this was the only thing that could calm my skin down.
+ also try mario badescu's seaweed cleansing lotion, lancome's absolue lotion or biotherm's white detox extra refreshing detoxifying lotion.

step three: moisturise.
after patting lotion into your skin in step two, it is important to keep your skin hydrated all day long and seal in the moisture. some people, my sister included, absolutely hate to apply moisturiser because they can't stand it's stickiness. well darlings, it's 2007; no one's asking you to slick vaseline all over your face. find a product that absorbs fast enough for your liking. most gel-types do. but gel-type or not, pour a small amount (not too much! start small and add more if you want!) onto your palms, rub your hands together once or twice to warm up the product, then apply gently to your face.
+ i heart sekkisei by kose. in fact, not just their emulsion, but their entire range of products!! it claims to brighten and clear the complexion. i am a firm believer!
+ also try biotherm's hydra-detox detoxifying moisturising fluid.

step 4: moisturise eye and lip area
even peeps with oily skins should. after all, in summer, many of us are stuck in air-conditioned rooms, and even if we aren't, the eye and lip areas are usually dry, and thinnest and most sensitive to the sun's rays. use an appropriate eye cream/gel for your skin type, and apply lip balm liberally, preferably one with spf 15 and above.

step 5: uv care.
this is one important step that should not be missed. the sun's rays are still the biggest culprits of photo-aging and skin cancer. find one that is non-comedogenic, which means it will not clog your pores. find a sunscreen with at least spf 15 AND broad-spectrum, which means it helps protect against both uva and uvb rays. preferably, carry a small, spray-on sunscreen in your bag when you go out so that you can re-apply, even on top of make up. but apply sunscreen at least once a day before leaving the house. even when you're sitting by the window, the sun's uv rays will get to you.
+ i'm a fan of shiseido's anessa, and i'm on my 3rd bottle now. i use "perfect pearly sunscreen" which doesn't clog my pores, doesn't slide off even during sports, and best yet, has a nice hint of pearly sheen to it.

step 6: oil control.
look for a product that satisfies these 3 criterias: does not turn white, does not make it difficult to apply make up on top (some do! some just slide everything right off!) and lastly, does not disintegrate into powdery lumps. it should feel somewhat smooth and powdery, but if it comes off into lumps then dump it! apply a small amount over your t-zone or wherever that might get oily.
+ try benefit's doctor feelgood or lancome's pure focus t-zone.

at night

basically, repeat steps 1 to 4 from the morning. nights are meant for special care, because when you sleep, your skin rejuvenates. if you use a gel moisturiser in the day, try using a lotion or cream type at night. past the age of 25, i also believe that most people would benefit from a night cream or emulsion for their particular skin needs. i also think it's good to use a 1% beta-hydroxy lotion on problem areas like the nose, forehead and cheeks, which gets rid of blackheads and clears the pores. (check with your dermatologist if you are unsure.) especially in the summer, vitamin a products might make your skin sensitive and you might want to try switching to vitamin c products instead. they give you the same anti-wrinkle benefits, and protect against UV rays as well. night time is also meant for pimple cream!! dot it on wherever you need it!!
+ i love mario badescu's drying lotion. gets rid of those nasty little buggers.
+ benefit's boo boo zap and ka pow! are also pretty potent! (and have such fun names)



when i have an extra 5 minutes in the mornings, i like to give myself a quick, hydrating mask. usually a sheet/paper mask. just slap the mask on after cleansing and while i pack my bag or change my clothes. 5 minutes later, it takes 1 second to remove the sheet mask from my face, and i can go on to tone, moisturise, etc.

i skip step 6 sometimes, and only apply a mattifier when my skin is feeling particularly naughty. otherwise, steps 1-4 i do religiously everyday, twice a day, and step 5 i do in the mornings, or whenever i go out. a good skincare regime hardly takes more than 5 minutes, although it took me like 2 hours to blog this (and find all the links), and perhaps 20 minutes for you to read this.

i also set aside one day a week for "me" time, where i do all sorts of girly stuff like put hair mask, paint my nails, and do a scrub and a clay mask. hydrating masks i do whenever i feel like it. heh heh :)

make it a habit to take good care of your skin and your skin will thank you later.

part one: beat the heat

part two: summer skin care

part three: summer make up

beat the heat! (part1)

i received an email from natasha, who had just moved to singapore and was experiencing many problems with the heat here! welcome to the tropics girl! there ain't many places hotter than here!

"Dear Gilda, I found your blog and read all about your complaints with the heat in Singapore. I'm experiencing the same thing! I've just moved here from the US. I never knew it could get so hot here. I love your clothes but I'm wondering how you manage to wear them, when all I wanna do is lie naked in an air-conditioned room. What do you do to keep cool? And how do you keep your make up from sliding off?"

oh wow. very tricky. i do so many things to keep my sanity here, it might get a little too much for some people.

here are some ways to keep cool. well they work for me, and believe me when i say i'm a real sweater. literally. i sweat. like a pig. (apparently it's healthy because my body releases its toxins. but sometimes i'm jealous of my sister who hardly perspires. bah.)

1. drink tons of water. or fruit juice!!! dehydrated and parched skin = very not sexy!

2. have an icy cold lychee martini. my other favorites are strawberry or watermelon! also try pink guava or mango. it doesn't even have to be anything fancy. just some 100% thick yummy juice, and some vodka, and voila! or better yet, skip the alcohol, put the fruits or juice into a blender, throw in ice and make some gorgeous ice-blended drinks! yum!

3. icy-cold aloe vera masks. de-puff! i usually get my aloe vera masks in a mask pack, that i store in the fridge. so all i need to do is peel open the paper mask, spread it all over my face, and lie back for 5 minutes. it feels great! and there's usually some aloe lotion left inside the pack, and miss cheapskate me will always squeeze out every last drop and rub it all over my hands and feet. and yes, i think the best ones come from japan.

4. chill toiletries. especially things like your toner and moisturiser. keeping them in the fridge not only extends their lifespan, but totally refreshes you when you slap 'em on!

5. SPF 50. investing in a good sunscreen is investing in your skin. the rays from the sun are the primary cause of wrinkles - something i'm not dying to get. i'm a fan of shiseido's anessa, and i'm on my 3rd bottle now. i use "perfect pearly sunscreen" which doesn't clog my pores, doesn't slide off even during sports, and best yet, has a nice hint of pearly sheen to it.

6. hats. wearing a hat is the best way to dress up your outfit, no matter what style. i love love love hats and don't know how many i own. a hat in the winter keeps you warm, and a hat in the summer shields your face from the sun and provides much needed shade!! of course, don't wear any woolly hats in summer!!

7. wet tissues. they are life-savers and i swear by them. i carry them everywhere. the best brands are from japan. find those with the label "sara-sara sheet" or "powdered sheet". it's a shower in a tissue! ok, not quite, but almost!! they clean away perspiration and leave you non-sticky and feeling very fresh. i love them in a grapefruit or lavender scent.

8. jump in a sea/pool/puddle. go to the beach and swim in the sea and enjoy some sea breeze. or find a pool you can use. or make friends with people who have pools. or make friends at pools. or make friends with cute lifeguards at pools.

9. portable fans. no explanation needed. i get stares sometimes, but fuck 'em. i carry a fan with me at all times. i have several but here are my favorites. the first is a fan almost too pretty to use, from victor and rolf. it's baby pink with tassles! i love it! i got it from caleb from saks fifth avenue, when i went to buy their fragrance, flowerbomb. caleb was the sweetest thing and i hope he's still there when i go back to new york. the second is a hand-held fan, from smap! i got it during their concert last year. they've made hand-held fans for concert goods for like 3 years now, and i'd say it's the smartest thing. japan has the worst summers (40 degrees celcius and terrible humidity yo!) and this thing kept me from going crazy. good quality too! hah!


10. take a holiday. go somewhere winter!! if you can afford it, by all means do.

11. go horse-riding. i used to do this as a child, and my favorite memories are of me riding high up on a horse with the wind in my hair. it feels great.

12. go kayaking or wake-boarding or jet-skiing. if you're lucky enough to be able to try these water sports, please do! it's such fun!

13. take a road trip! preferably in a pink cadillac convertible but yeah, not all of us are so lucky. gather as many friends as you can squeeze into one car, wind down the windows and blast your favorite cheesy pop song, sing at the top of your lungs and go crazy giggling!

14. air-con. turn up the air-conditioner and give thanks to the guy who invented it everyday. if you don't have a/c at home, find a mall that does and hang out all day. or make use of friends. it's so hot out there sometimes, i take off all my clothes the moment i get in my room, crank up the air-con and just lie there on the wooden floor for a while. hahahaa. SO unglamorous.

15. take a cold shower. nothing beats it. sometimes i think i shower too much; my top count was at 6 in one day. i try to counter it by moisturising religiously at night. also, when i am taking "unnecessary" showers, i usually just spritz myself with water and not use soap so that i won't dry my skin out.

so there you have it. my guide to maintaining your sanity in blistering heat. take it from me, the girl who is permanently hot. haha ;)

part one: beat the heat
part two: summer skin care
part three: summer make up

lychee love

because i'm sitting here in front of my computer, eating away at the kilo of lychees i bought this afternoon. i wish i could be bothered to get up and make myself a lychee martini *slurp slurp* but nope, i'm like glued to this chair.

psst: don't be a pig like me; try making one!!

use lychee liqueur, vodka, and a dash of lime juice. alternatively, you can use fresh lychee juice if you don't have the liqueur. shake with ice, and strain into glass. top off with one or two peeled and pitted lychees and enjoy! oooh and try adding a stalk of lemongrass to your martini. it adds a totally different flavor and is totally yummy!!

many things have been happening lately, and i've been doing a lot of thinking. my friend tells me i shouldn't think so much. HAH. that's easy to say.

i painted another still-life thingy the other day. it was my second ever oil-painting attempt, and i think i'm getting better. well the first was an absolute disaster; i don't wanna even think about it! i've never had formal training in art or drawing. back in bunka, we had weekly design classes, but that was more of training us in the design (clothing) factor, and nothing concrete in the real "art" part. but yeah, i'm actually really enjoying myself in class. i missed a lesson while i was away in melbourne, so during the lesson i only had time to paint the objects and couldn't go into the details in the background. i'm quite pleased with it though. heh heh. (ok for those of you who are pros, just let me pretend i'm doing ok, ok? ;D)



i'm not sure how it happened, but it's suddenly almost 2am. i've had a long day today. i went to the doctors, went to buy fruits for the family, went to my juniors' training, then went to the club training. honestly, i'm kinda tired, and it's been quite a while since i've been this tired.

it's raining outside. like totally pouring. i love to sleep when it rains, so i think i'll go to bed soon.

sweet dreams, lovers. and tell me what you dreamt about.

neon pink kisses,
gilda