Don't Break My Heart

Your first heartbreak is already difficult...

Let's not break it again!  As the little boy drops on the floor, he shouts, "Why, why?!"

ROFL - A special thanks to Sophie for providing such wonderful sense of humor.  And truth.

devyn

Alienhead Moving - Unfinished Business

Note: I am in the process of migrating my blog as well as my home.  The future address for the blog, though blank at present, will be: devyntran.blogspot.com .  Please stay tuned!

devyn

Mission: TeaCup Puppies!

Here are some cuties that I like best of all the available teacups I found so far.  It would be most delightful if I could have one now, but maybe it's too soon.  *sigh*.  Just look at the little darlings!!!  *melts*  I can't even contain myself, my voice is going squeaky high pitched little girl!!!

[Apparently, there is a difference between in size between "teacup" and "toy.  Teacups weigh four pounds or less, while toys are seven pounds of less.  According to that website, it is a common misconception that these little babies are sickly creatures.  Teacups start $1500+ and toys $900+.  Wow wow, Wubbzy!]

Maltese


Cavalier King Charles Spaniel                Japanese Chin

Pomeranian

Something this cute should be illegal!

Terrier Triplets (I think)

Haha, so I think I've been looking at these puppies for almost an hour and I physically can't handle it anymore. 

Like Kandee Johnson put it, we are both suffering "sleep anorexia."  Tickles my toes to think of it, but truth has never been so certain.  lLolL

devyn

The Great Preponderance - Black, Brown, & Purple

I think I'm cursed.

I can't seem to make anyone happy.

Fate - Destiny - Serendipity - Kismet - the Great Chain of Being

 Check out the jet black hair, nerdy specs, lack of makeup, and *gasp* vulnerable brown eyes.. ... .

John Q. is a great hair stylist.  I wore a purple top today and I hate the color purple.

 Life is a peculiar thing.  What left is there to do but smile?


devyn 

Meet Two of My Models - Jackie & Han

Mamma Mia! is one of the best musical movies of my very relatively brief lifetime.  I love it!  I could watch it ten times in a row.  In fact, I have and now I needn't even watch it - the background noise is perfect to get through packing, sorting, cleaning, and moving. 

Now I present to you my first two models...

Jackie decided she wanted dark, pronounced eyes and softer lips so I went with a navy blue for her eye shadow and peachy pink lips.  I call her pose the American Apparel pose, ha ha.  I do enjoy photography.










Han, who normally prefers subtler tones, has browns and pinks around her eyes and peach lips lined with a darker red.  Both of their lips are drawn out slightly wider than their natural lips to give the illusion of plump, fuller lips.


Enter Marsha, one of my many little girlie cousins that seem to be taking over our latest Tran clan generations and my very willing future model.  Gotta get 'em while they're young!  hehehe  =oP



My uncles saw my makeup train case and started teasing me.  They asked if I am attending cosmetology school.  I declined - it's all in good fun.  My aunt then stated she'd ring me for her next wedding, and that I ought to carry along with me a little tip jar (to cover the costs of the makeup).  lLolL.  I don't know that I could do that, it's so much of a hobby and an art for me right now that I'd do it too slowly for anyone to want to pay me for such a service.

I was planning to paint three models but ran out of time, so next time, Karolyn!  It's all you!!!

devyn 

P.S. I am on to watching round two of Mamma Mia! for the evening.  rofl

The Spirit of Halloween!

Halloween is soon approaching! I absolutely LOVE dressing up!!! *jumps up and down clapping hands*

In the spirit of Halloween, my favorite funny makeup artist Kandee Johnson has been putting up videos on makeup and costumes. My two favorite so far are her Barbie and Poison Ivy. She's so creative, it's fabulous. People like her make me appreciate the world so much more!

[Aside: my Naimies concealor came!!!  Exciting!  I can't wait to try it!]

I did a trial run with my costume and pinned up my four pieces of fabric together and held it against the wings.  They should match beautifully.  I may purchase larger jewels and add them to the fabric so there is more definition.  Miranda Kerr in her Victoria's Secret perfume campaign is the inspiration and from whence I am basing my own design.

I don't know that I'll be able to get the crown, and my wings aren't nearly as transparent but that could very well just be a lighting effect.  Smart photographer.  Anyway, rather than the greens and golds you see above, mine will be peaches and cremes, with a sky blue base for the wings, hints of purples and pinks.  I may try to get more creative with the accessories and put plants or something, similar to what was done in Kandee's Poison Ivy video.  After all, I am a Tink!

Meet Hunter - she's my Tinker Bell competition.  It will be rough.  That's her older brother Rowen.  He's going to be Optimus Prime, mask and all.

I don't have any plans yet, other than to be with the family and see if Hunter really does win the game (but I have already forfeited to avoid embarrassment).  I am totally prepared for whatever comes, unless I get lazy.  Last year I bought a few costumes after Halloween just because they were cute.   lLolL.

I'm such a dork.  I love it.

As soon as I get my bum moving, it is family day.  Got a bunch of treats for the family, and tonight will be a huge gathering.  *sigh*  My models are coming!  Hopefully I'll have pictures up soon!  (If you see tears up on the next post, you'll know that I'm really unskilled after all.  I sure hope that's not the case.  I don't want to be a useless soul.)



devyn

My First Video - Intro!

I have finally made my first video and it has absolutely nothing pertinent in it.  It's incredibly strange to have to see myself.  I really hope I don't talk like that in person, ha ha.

Anyway, my hopes for tonight's brief project turned out quite rudely toward me so instead of just entering it all here, I will attempt it after I've better organized myself.

In other news, I've done six different makeup looks and I seem to be improving.  As you can probably tell by the outfit, this first one is the most recent and timed with the video.

It's the best and only successful pin-up look that I've done - I've endeavored to create the look thrice with little success but now I understand it better.  The eye liner needs to be extremely precise (I used a black liquid liner but you may also use a gel, though the color doesn't come out as distinctly) to draw the Marilyn pin-up technique.  That is, from the inner corner of the eye draw up, then go straight across, down nearing the outer edge/corner, then back up and out.  Maybe I'll try to do a video on this but Kandee already has about three of them.  Next up, we have the ever popular smokey eyes.

Both of those techniques were taught by Kandee Johnson.  This next one, which I call the nude peach look, is comprised of colors I felt complimented each other well.  The shadows, cheeks, and lips are more neutral colors and may be worn during the day to work or even dazzled up with accessories for the evening.  I am using my newest peach blush from Make-Up Forever, such a fabulous color.

Kat Von D has been increasing in popularity and even has her own makeup line now.  I will admit I purchased a set of her eye shadows.  This technique was also learned from a Kandee video (surprise surprise).

I  know I mentioned I did six looks but I am dissatisfied with the others and want to give them another go. Overall, eyebrow definition is important to help frame the eyes but thick and dark eyelashes are definitely the most crucial in making eyes stand out.

I'm really excited because later today (seeing as how it's already past 3:15AM), I get to experiment with my first model, Jackie.  She has great eyebrows and full lips atop a slightly olive skin tone; definitely different from mine so it will be a great challenge.  To be honest, I've never really tried to put makeup on another person so it might be a frustrating experience.  I will ask for her reaction and others' opinions as well and likely share it with you.  At the very least, it will bruise my humor but make you laugh.

It's worth it!  =o)


Sweet dreams,

devyn

My Friday Night - It's Been a While

I am not sober.

Home is Where the Heart Is

I think that is why I have been in a constant state of discontent, battling an upheaval of conflicts, and staring at countless sheep.

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

                                ~ Robert Frost

devyn

My Dream Job

My dream job, I have just determined, is to model for wedding designers and magazines.  What a dream!!!  I get to model and pretend I'm getting married in the most fairytale kind of way.

I'm really a tomboy but sometimes... it just can't be helped.

 
devyn 

Does Anyone Read My Blog?

Anyone?

Let It All Go

devyn

Hermetic Bum-dom

I have been a bum.  Move-out date is soon approaching but still I haven't touched a thing.  In fact, my apartment has been suffering even greater disarray than ever before.  I've got heaps of documents to organize and recycle; my makeup collection is strewn about my bathroom; my clean laundry lay amassed above half my queen bed; there are hemp shakes and bars boxed on my countertop; vegetables litter the refrigerator; my shoes are the height from my floor to the ceiling; and my guitar and ukulele are migratory lullabies. 

I also just purchased my first herb plant - basil!

My attempt at making s'mores (with the marshmallows this time) went awry.  Nobody was injured in this process; however, in the future it would be greatly discouraged.  FYI - 30 seconds is too long.

I am already senile.  Went on a short break, came into our lunch room with a bottle, stood about and couldn't remember what I walked in with...

My cousin Jackie and I have been feeding my uncle names for their soon-to-be baby girl.  He hardly listens to the great names and comes up with these shoddy names for us to consider instead.  It's getting slightly frustrating.  After a series of 6 emails in the past month or so with lists upon lists of names, origins, and meanings, I think I've come to like Aryn (or Arinn) or Khloe the best.  The first means "englightened messenger" (enlightened) and the second is "blooming."  With Khloe, he asked, "Blooming what?"  Uhh... blooming anything!

What is your opinion?  Comment!

 
devyn

Electric Feel - MGMT

All along the western front

People line up to receive.

She got the power in her hand

To shock you like you won't believe.

Saw her in the amazon

With the voltage running through her skin

Standing there with nothing on

She gonna teach me how to swim

I said ooh girl

Shock me like an electric eel

Baby girl

Turn me on with your electric feel

I said ooh girl

Shock me like an electric eel

Baby girl

Turn me on with your electric feel

All along the eastern shore

Put your circuits in the sea

This is what the world is for

Making electricity

You can feel it in your mind

Oh you can do it all the time

Plug it in and change the world

You are my electric girl.

I said ooh girl

Shock me like an electric eel

Baby girl

Turn me on with your electric feel

I said ooh girl

Shock me like an electric eel

Baby girl

Turn me on with your electric feel

Do what you feel now

Electric feel now

Do what you feel now

Electric feel now

Do what you feel now

Electric feel now

Do what you feel now

Electric feel now

Do what you feel now

Electric feel now

I am currently in love with this song; it's on repeat.  The beat is so disco and yet modern in its presentation.  The music video is unique as well.  Electric is how I feel now.

Electric hot, electric cold - I'll burn the both of us.  I hope it's going to make you notice...

Next song on my playlist: Use Somebody - Kings of Leon.

The interesting thing about a blog is you want to be able to write about whatever, the juicier the better.  At the same time, I feel barred by someone possibly reading it and it going the wrong way.  The likelihood is low at best, but drama is so tiresome.  I'm worn so thin.  It has been one heck of a summer.. .. ..

devyn

Sea Salt - Concentration!

Here's an interesting mistake I made: somehow, even though I gave you the recipe for sea salt detox, I didn't follow it.  I'm a dork like that and never follow recipes.  Let me tell you why you should - water retention!

I think that if you don't use the proper amount of salt, the concentration won't be high enough to signal your body to flush (as well).  I got up not long ago (10:30 AM, haha) and had a strong cramp and it makes me feel nauseated.  Unpleasant, sorry if that's TMI but health issues are significant to point out especially if I'm abetting.  So, that's your "health" warning (I don't think anything terrible will come of it other than that).

Oh, and the other thing is just try to finish the whole quart or two in ten minutes.  I'm only using one quart at a time because it's my biggest bottle (actually, I did the concentration twice as strong since I used two tbsp for one quart).  It is a LOT of fluid and I'm not finished but I'm full!



devyn

Three "Easy" Detox Drinks

This morning, not so bright and early, I decided to do the Sea Salt Detox because my coworkers discussed it during lunch yesterday.  Personally, it makes me want to puke.  One wouldn't think drinking one quart of fluids to be so difficult but when it tastes like dirty ocean water (with a splash of lemon, ha) I'd almost rather be fat.  Almost.  Below are three recipes for diet cleansing concoctions that are supposed to be easy, natural, and effective.  I've not tried the Healing Detox Juice so cannot vouch for flavor or potency, but it's worth a shot.  It seems to have more vitamins and nutrients to it than the others so technically, one is not "starving" oneself as with the Master Cleanse in which one must fast.

My real-time reactions:

[9:05 AM] Mixing and microwaving warm water.  Adding salt to solution.  Choosing to do one quart rather than two.  Why double the torture...

[9:11 AM] First chug.  =(

[9:16 AM] Half a quart remains.  Eyeing bottle...

[9:18 AM] Still staring at the bottle of salt detox.  I shudder.

[9:19 AM] Oh gosh, I have less than a couple minutes to finish this salt horror.  Again, why am I subjecting myself to this?  I just realized if one is unsuccessful in drinking all the salt concoction and end up retching, I would still consider it a successful endeavor.  Ha ha...

[9:20 AM] Trying not to puke during the last home stretch.

[9:21 AM] Quickly chase with a sip of FUZE.  I want to cry.  Why are my taste buds so sensitive to salt?

[9:50 AM] And the fun begins...  Haha, it wasn't so bad actually.  I think drinking is the worst part; however, the day is young!

Still want to try it?  lLolL.  DO IT!  At the very least, it will be funny?  I'm laughing.

Sea Salt Detox

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons Sea Salt (unrefined, if possible as it has more minerals)
  
• 2 Quarts Spring Water
• Organic or Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice (optional)
  

You may want to prepare for this detox by eating lighter a few days prior by reducing meat, dairy, and refined flour.

Best to drink in the morning upon first waking and on an empty stomach.  Warm up the water then add the salt to it; the warmer it is the easier it goes down.  Stir it up or bottle the solution and shake it.  The warmth of the water should help dissolve the salt.  You may want to add lemon juice to make the drink more palatable.  Guzzle all of it within ten minutes.  The warm salty concoction supposedly helps loosen up your bowels and cleanses it out.  With that said, please do this at home when you've nowhere to be until evening. 

Wait at least one hour before eating.  Keep your menu light during this detox, such as with soups and salads; avoid meats and dairy.  This detox may be done once in the morning and once at night before sleeping.  Continue the Sea Salt Detox for three to seven days.  If desired, you may repeat this diet after resuming a normal diet for a week.

Master Cleanse (Lemon Detox)

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons Organic Lemon Juice
• 2 Tablespoons Pure or Grade B Maple Syrup
• 1/10 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 8 Ounces Spring Water, cold or hot
  

Precede with the Sea Salt Detox the night before starting the Master Cleanse Diet.

Combine all ingredients.  For portability, use drinking bottles and/or a decanter with lid.  Fast and drink the lemonade 6-8 times daily for up to 14 days.  After the last day, begin eating small portioned amounts of light foods, like soup, for a couple days; with each passing day, you may build up to eating solid foods.  If desired, you may repeat this detox after going on a normal diet for a week.

CAVEAT: I know you want to increase your metabolism but please don't overdo the cayenne pepper to do so.  I didn't follow the recipe before and estimated by just dashing it in there.  It gave me heartburn.  I'd recommend exercising even just twenty minutes to help maintain your metabolism since your fasting would tend to slow your metabolism if continuing the detox for longer than five days.

Healing Detox Juice

Ingredients:

• 3-4 Carrots, Peeled
  
• 1/2 Cup Fresh Spinach
• Handful Flat Leaf Parsley
• 2-3 Sticks Celery

Combine all ingredients into a juicer.  Blend until smooth.  May refrigerate and drink cold if desired.  This will promote a bowel movement within a few hours.

Not to be Debbie Downer but I just realized that since one diet needs to be preceded by another diet, one would easily be dieting for a few weeks.  So complicated, but NO PAIN NO GAIN!!!  (To be honest, I really am not one to say because I do terrible with diets these days.  Weak sauce!)

Best of luck to all of us!

devyn

Serving Sizes - Don't Judge Too Quickly

I am so annoyed at myself when I so carefully compare calorie and nutrition information - only to realize later that I forget to consider the serving size, which changes everything!  *slaps forehead*  Such a dummy!

Oh my gosh!  I'm shaking so much!  Here's a tip: don't wait too long to eat because when the shakes come, they don't stop!

..
....
.
.
..

I have more to say but today my heart hurts.

devyn 

Wow!

It is absolutely incredible how fast this email blogger function works.  I love it!


Amazed,

devyn 

The Motherlode & the Locust

  

   

Goodness, I'm not even sure where to begin.  There is a lot to tell but nothing to say. .. .

I am weak.  It is a complex issue that might be divulged at a later date.

Yesterday was my younger brother Vince's 22nd birthday.  My three brothers, my mother, and I celebrated at Claim Jumper during happy hour.  It was quite the feast.  For dessert, we got a little red velvet cupcake, the lemon bar brulee [Aside: every time I read or hear "brulee" I think of eye shadow thanks to Kandee, haha], and a slice of the monster motherlode cake which remains mostly untouched in my refrigerator.  It had been a long time since all of us have actually been at the dinner table together, or even in the same room for that matter.  Even so, my older brother Nick didn't show up until we were ordering dessert, practically swallowed pizzas whole, and then said he had to go twenty minutes later. 

All in all, it was quite fun - I am the jokesterand was teasing everyone.  I told them I'm the funniest and best looking *head tilt ^.^*, Hieu is the baby, Vince is the crazy, and Nick is the lazy.  Looking about the table, I could see how different we've all grown to be; I thank goodness I don't look like any of my brothers!  =P  Not because they're bad looking, but because I would be so sad if I looked like a boy!  My immediate family has always been a tumultuous one.  I'm glad I'm the only girl.

I don't enjoy salty foods.  Blech.

On my way back from taking out some rubbish, I saw an insect hopping about radically on the pavement.  At first sight I thought it was a locust and jumped and whimpered in fright as it started to fly about me - it was HUGE!  Once I was slightly past it, I looked back and it was a green grasshopper (but still big!).  I'm silly.

I was thinking this morning of ideas on what I could possibly engage in to make myself feel slightly more accomplished.  Then it dawned on me: since I enjoy makeup and I've always wanted to figure out ways to deal with being Asian with makeup styles (most are for Caucasian faces), I can try to perfect and come up with techniques for Asian faces that lack much of the structure of other races!  That means I need more models to test my ideas on; I foresee many fun times!  Now, if I can somehow incorporate that idea to include weddings (Oh, how I <3 weddings!) I think my dreams of doing something I love would finally come true...

Well, that's assuming that is what I want to do.

I can't believe Kanye West is such a "jackass" (as quoted from President Obama).  Poor Taylor Swift.  I still haven't seen that part, but have it on DVR.  Exercising while watching tele is so very excellent.

Ah, so an important decision I have made is to move out of my apartment.  I will miss MY place, my quiet, my space but at the very least I have until 10/3 to move out so will have to reap the joys of my bachlorette pad to the fullest.  Just thinking about leaving makes me want to stay...  Gosh, I am SO tempted to say the HECK with saving money - my LIFE is more important!  Unfortunately, this is one of those times when one has to decide whether to think with one's mind or to think by one's heart.  Normally my heart wins out, so we will see by 10/3 which will be the victor.

Am I really 24?




devyn

My Idea of a Man - My Darling Hugh

 If you are familiar with me then you already know my favorite actor is Hugh Jackman.  In fact, right now he is my favorite man.  Period.  I used to have the above image as the main header of my blog but only meant it to be temporary since, clearly, it's a little too fanatic to put him at the center of my thoughts.  I was bored, too, one day so just compiled it to sort of remind me there are very nearly perfect people out there and not to settle for anything less than what is best for me.

Of course I don't know him personally, but from stories and what I've seen, Hugh seems to be the model citizen, husband, father, and man.  He helps with charities, he is absolutely in enamored with his wife, his children love him and he's super supportive for his family, and his physique is the epitome of a man.  "Tall, dark, and handsome" is how my romance novels would describe it.  lLolL (No, I haven't ready any in ages so you can stop that.) 

I took a brief break to walk outside and talk to my leasing agent and this urgent matter came up so I will have to revisit this ideal man later.

Basically, I need to either get a roommate, work another job, or pay about $3K in lease-break fees.  None of them seem very pleasant to me which leads to my fourth and final option: stay in my current lease and scrape up every penny and nickel I can.  Well, I'm not that poor but my lifestyle will certainly have to take a downturn for the boring-er.

Please, please, please if you know someone that would like to live in a beautiful two bedroom Irvine apartment, let me know or have them contact me!  Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

xoxo,

devyn

New Inspiration - Kandee Johnson!

A lazy Saturday.  Slept a lot.  Seems to be my weekend lifestyle these days.  It's nice .. ... ..  Sometimes.

I've been watching a lot of YouTube, from guitar and ukulele lessons, to music and concerts, to my new found inspiration: Kandee Johnson the Makeup Artist!  She is absolutely amazing.  Super funny and always chipper, Kandee is the one person that I've been able to say I admire because she's gone through trials and never seems to let people or hardships get the best of her.  I enjoy her style, it's super fun - though I could never pull it off myself.  Her makeup style is fresh and gorgeous, in my opinion, and seems to come out quite flattering even on my face.

To date, I've tried to do her pin-up look and I've done the smokey eyes.  What actually happened was I went for the pin-up but ended up putting on a wee bit too much eye shadow, so it came out smokey instead.  Kandee's foundation and powder suggestion worked wonderfully.  In the photographs I took to document what I'm calling my Makeup Trials, my skin looks pretty even and quite flawless - makes for super easy post-editing, if at all.  My second attempt at the pin-up eyes failed as well since I realized I may just be anatomically incapable of pulling off that look.  I'm Asian (I can't hide it anymore!) so I lack demonstrative eyebrow bones and have a shorter eyelid area, not to mention nearly nonexistent eyelid creases.

After watching Kandee's video on her life's story (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxb8zV6QIZw), it made me want to think more on what I really want to do with my life and why I'm so unmotivated and weak.  As a young girl, I wanted to be a model.  As an adult, I know that can't possibly happen for one main reason (I'm only 5' short) and for many other reasons (I'm not skinny enough, have no connections, no time, etc. and the list goes on blah blah).  So, she made me realize I have to be STRONGER, and have more courage to push through the hard times and focus.

I'm still confused as to my direction but at least now I have a bit more encouragement and enthusiasm to persevere and NEVER GIVE UP.  Once I figure myself out, I hope I can be as inspirational and admirable as Kandee.

Cheers to always trying to be a better, kinder, wiser, happier, funner Devyn!

I am so embarrassing!

*bashful*

I told you so.  How melodramatic!!!  I never lasted more than two entries.  ROFL

Somebody, please, join FarmVille!  It is so much "fun!"  We can be neighbors and build great plantations.  I'm a wonderful neighbor, I promise.  =o)  If you're interested, add me on your Facebook FarmVille.

Looking forward to the harvest! 

lLolL

Taking Over The World - My First Blog

Today I opened up accounts for various online sites and services. I'm trying to take over the world with ETESSA, even if I don't use it - I want to dominate it. Weird, I know.

On my way out from work, I saw a biker alongside the road going the opposite direction of traffic; generally, not a smart idea nor proper. As I approached, I noticed he was looking at something on the road. It was a felled bird of some sort, seemed a little too large for a pigeon though the coloration was similar in nature. Poor thing.

There was something else of note I wanted to write of but can't remember at this point with my poor excuse for short term memory.

Honestly, as this is my first blog, I will have to forewarn you - I reckon most of what I write will really ever be of any "significance." I tend to share little thoughts on life and events as I see it and ramble as my stream of consciousness takes over.  One of the frightening and embarrassing things I find about writing is having to experience it over again in a different light later in life.  Usually I wonder how I could possibly be so  ...  silly and always conclude it with a blush and a shrug.  How melodramatic! 

It's fun to be melodramatic; sometimes there is so much life that needs expression and everything is on edge.  Life really is a roller coaster for me, and I love roller coasters (they're much more preferable than a vertical drop).  I like to be an exclamation mark when I'm happy, an ellipsis when I'm sad.  Question marks befit my anger because it's begotten from confusion and actually is a transferred emotion.

Tonight I picked up dinner at Niko Niko Sushi for my family.  Soon I believe I'll be heading out to Koji's to see some friends I haven't seen in a while.  So much for planning to go solo.. .. ..