dame dashi

There's an interesting word in Japanese called ダメ出し; 駄目出し (dame-dashi).

According to Jim Breen's dictionary, it means "judging someone (negatively) and urging them to improve; finding fault (in somebody's work)."

It's easy to communicate negatively rather than positively; I'm guilty of this and I think many people around me are too.

Gotta work on emphasizing the positive!

jill stuart mook

Darn, I want this upcoming tote from Jill Stuart. Because you know I really need another tote bag. I don't like Sweet Magazine much either.

wait what? bacon and chocolate?

Vosges is blowing my mind.

That's my next present for the bf!

Addiction eyeshadow swatches

I had some time to play with some Addiction eyeshadows (on my way to buy some Spanish chocolate at Mitsukoshi), so enjoy some swatch pics. All pictures were taken in department store lighting, so the shades are a little off.

In other news, my black and white GAP sweater looks like it'll only last the season - the yarn is already piling into little knots. Guess the quality's not very good.

Inoue Takehiko's column

His irregular column is quite touching this week.

Some updates

Downgraded: Sephora Liner Metallic: it's not that smooth to apply, and doesn't last very long on my lower lashline. I can't wear it on my upper lashline as it creases after an hour or so. Setting with powder doesn't help at all. Can't wait till I use this up, but it'll be a while at this rate!

I've also given up on my MAC paintpot - it's too dry to apply smoothly and it's too frosty to use as anything other than a sheer base. Maybe I can use it on the lower lashline?

Dain at ArsAromatica recommends Suqqu and Addiction; I'm now really tempted to check them out, although I should cut my stash in half first.

I had the chance to test some Jo Malone fragrances at Mitsukoshi.
Jo Malone Vintage Gardenia - not bad, not bad at all. A soft gardenia - wears quite close to the skin; I don't get much sillage from this. 1 hour 1/2 so far.

Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia is apparently the most popular fragrance in Japan (or at least Ginza Mitsukoshi and I can see why; a very pretty fruity floral. Decent sillage. I like it.

I must say that I'm loving Shu Uemura red:juvenus enriched lotion (a softener). It smells fantastic and my skin absorbs it well. However, the price is hard to justify, so I don't know if I'll repurchase when my travel size runs out. I do enjoy using it though, so we'll see.

My condolences to Whitney Houston's family

It's a terribly sad and shocking loss.

I grew up with her music; I had her debut album on cassette and played it repeatedly. My favorite songs are probably "How Will I Know" and "Greatest Love of All". And "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" - I used to dance to this with my friend in elementary school - we'd just let loose and dance around in her house. Her parents probably thought we were pretty silly.