I Love You, Goodebox
Birchbox doesn’t need an intro, but I wanted an alternative to the commercial makeup out there. I don’t want to get all preachy on sustainable products but it’s not just to help out Mother Earth, but also to use beauty products without parabens and harsh chemicals. I signed up for Goodebox, an eco and sometimes vegan friendly company similar to Birchbox. I usually have to order makeup online and if I don’t like it, I’m stuck with it. I love the products I’ve used in the past, but honestly, a woman needs variety and playing with makeup shouldn’t be lost just because it has chemicals I don’t agree with. Goodebox makes trying out brands I’ve read about or brands I’d never try myself so much easier. For $16 a month, it’s worth it, folks.
I don’t want to bore you with an intro on each sample- but I wasn’t disappointed, everything was great! My favorite was the sunscreen, All Natural True SPF 40. I chronically want to protect my investment (tattoos!) and my skin of course, but I hate how slimy it is. I’ve ruined a few silk blouses from doing this but this particular brand was amazing and I’m buying the full size when I’m out.
The only thing I didn’t like was the color of the lipgloss. My actual lips felt amazing but my olive skin looked awful with the color “champagne”. I didn’t get to choose the color and it was randomly selected according to the information in the box. I was so happy with the Weleda Day and Night Creams, those alone were worth it.
You can sign up here!
Paris on Film: Lomography Negative 35mm
I finally tested out Lomography’s own slide film, on my Canon AE-1 . I tested it on the most colorful place I could think of- Disneyland Paris! The colors were saturated, intense, and the contrast to each photo visually describes how I experienced the park. I love the Disneyland park I visit here at home often, but Disneyland Paris was…well…honestly, it was better. I felt like it was how Disneyland should be, and I’ve never experienced anything like it. I have some photos on my DSLR I’ll be sharing and go more into detail and you’ll see why it’s awesome. Besides the park being only 20 years old, Europeans really took the magic of what Walt had in mind and made it better. Scott and I are huge fans of anything Disney, and Disneyland Paris seemed like the perfect place to celebrate our anniversary (yep, we’re kid adults).
There were two parks, like here in Southern California. The Walt Disney Studios reminded me of a mix of Universal Studios Hollywood with California Adventure.
I had some film left and took it on a stroll to Champs-Elysees.
Dream Job: Food Stylist
When I pour over the pages of Whole Living, VegNews, O Magazine and other beautiful food related magazines, I can’t help but wonder- who took the photo and how can I get that job? After doing a little research, this dream job is called food styling. I did something similar to this a couple summer’s ago at K&A Cafe. I didn’t have much control of how to take the photo (it wasn’t exactly as glamorous when it was on a styrofoam plate with bright fluorescent lighting). It was a fun gig and ultimately, would love to do something like this to pay the bills. I love my current job but how fun would it be to say “I style FOOD for a living”!
The Flickr group, A Food Photography Experience, is really a visual feast (literally) of delicious food. It’s inspring when they can make a greasy plate of onion rings look decadent.
photo by Little Upside Down Cake on flickr.
photo by .ira on flickr.
photo by tanyush_m on flickr.
photo by Makushilda on flickr.
photo by Elena Vlasova on flickr.
Food stylists I admire;
Vivian Lui, Lisa Homa, and Emma and Young (okay, they’re not a “food stylists” but one of my favorite people that take pretty photos of it).
The Marimekko Napkin
This napkin gets more attention than any photo I’ve ever posted on Instagram. Every time I post it, when it’s meant to be a decorative piece in the background, it becomes the main subject. Never fails! I get the same questions- where did I get it and can I still purchase it? To answer both, I bought it from Hanna’s Boutique, an etsy shop last September.
The napkins are still available here but there’s only one set available. Good luck to the lucky person that gets it!
Home ECO:NOMICS
When Anaheim comes to mind you think Disneyland, Angels baseball, No Doubt…and hipster and artists venue? Yep, The Lab and the Camp owners bought Center Street Promenade and The Packing House in Downtown Anaheim and are dropping anchor. Umami Burger, Anaheim Brewery, The Gypsy Den, and Home Eco:nomics are a few of the trendy shops either opened or confirmed for business by the end of 2012.
April Paul, manager of Home Eco:nomics, and I chatted up on the new shop and the future of Downtown Anaheim. I loved the way the store was set up- it has a boutique flair without being intimidating, it still has a handmade presence with uniquely chosen items from local artists and shops. It reminded me of Anthropologie without the corporate suits behind it.
April warmly welcomes you into the store and right away, it’s a place you visit and want to leave buying one of each item. From BAGGU to Pocketo, there are local artists to more popular brands we all love and are familiar with. She has an eye for the shop design since her last job was at Seed Market, another store driven by handmade artists.
The shop carries everything from kitchen goods, jewelry, and baby items, to Earth-friendly gadgets. I’m really happy to see the changes in historic Downtown Anaheim. I’ll admit it still had its charm even when it was a ghost town but with the new shops and Packing House, it’s going to save me a drive to South County, and support Anaheim.
If you’re not in the area, April will gladly ship out an item to you, check out the blog and Facebook page for more info.
Mention “ourcitylights” and receive 10% on your entire purchase, and trust me it will come in handy when you visit, you will not walk out empty handed. Be sure to bring your reusable totes!
The soft opening was March 28 but their grand opening will be May 12 with Anaheim’s Art Crawl. More info on this in the later weeks! To support more of Anaheim, check out Community as well.