Blogging On My Mobile

Just testing out this blogging App. and keeping up with new mobile technology in all of its splendid glory. I've been living in the dark ages but now moving to the renaissance era. I'm slowly getting myself modernized. Hazzah!!!

I also added a pic of the Fresca I just drank. I used an app to make it all cool looking. It's so very double rainbow.

Let's Play A Video From The Pets

My concentration is slim to none right now and I can't seem to get it together. Apparently I still need that vacation I never received. Anyway, hope you enjoy this little video I put together of my sweet cuddly babies taken sometime this afternoon.

Like the introduction? Check out our website for high end digital graphics and etc. at http://www.flixpress.com.

My First Terrarium

Blithe Gardens at Etsy.com

Challenge 30 Buy Something From Etsy.com

My Auntie Romy from Hawaii recommended lip balms (tints) from Epically Epic Soap Co. a charming little etsy.com store. I purchased the Trio of Epic Lip Balms or Tints choosing the Red Velvet Cake, Epic Berry Noir, and Red Clove lip tints as my three flavours. I am amazed of how smooth these tints glided on my lips. It felt like it ice or smooth chocolate melting to the heat of my body. It is also long lasting. Last night I put on the Epic Berry Noir before bed and when I woke up, my lips were still soft and moist as if I just applied it on. I am very impressed, not to mention addicted to these vegan lip amazingness. Next time I'm going to purchase fruity flavoures and brulee flavoures.

As far as lip stuff that tingles ❤ my favourites are: Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lip Soother, and CoverGirl's Wetslicks Amazemint Lipgloss. In all other news, I'm still thinking about reviving my beauty and fashion blog. I'm still unsure about it. We shall see... but in conclusion, I am very satisfied with my first etsy.com purchase.

In other unrelated news... it's crazy how many nasty smelling facial moisturizers are out there. I tried to find a cheaper one than my almost empty Juice Beauty and finally ended up with Aveeno's Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer. It smells light and fresh like clean laundry. But there's definitely an epidemic of disgusting smelling facial moisturizers out there... which explains why there are so many old people who smell... unpleasant.

Wednesday's List: Spoil Your Lips

Polish Foods

Healthy Choices Sushi & Spring Rolls

Izzy (brother) and I made some healthy dishes today. He made the sushi and I made the fresh spring rolls. The sushi is filled with different combinations of cucumbers, carrots, avocado, eggs, cream cheese, and sesame seeds. The spring rolls are all fresh wrapped in spring roll rice wrappers containing green onions, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, avocado, alfalfa, and bean sprouts. These are fairly easy to make and I had fun bonding with my brother while creating these. He's a great cook and an even more awesome brother.

Pop Music Mingled with Classical

Brilliant, Brilliant, BRILLIANT! Australian group Aston mingled my two favourite genres of music - classical and pop music. I am truly obsessed with these young musicians in their early 20's. It's seldom I come across such a sophisticated type of people. They inspire me to get back to my classical roots. I can't remember the last time I touched the keys of a piano... and we own one.

Nonetheless, get their album from their website. I got the digital version today and it's amazing. Serious respect to the person who arranged the scores. Reminds me of my brilliant brother who does the same thing... and debuts it in church... but no one can tell when he plays it for background music. When he plays some pop songs in church, we look at each other from across the sanctuary and smile. I know... I know... we'll go to hell for it.

Anyway, they're all so talented. I can't wait for their new album to come out.

{ Aston covering Katy Perry's E.T. }
{ Original, Katy Perry: E.T. }

In all other news, we're still in Bean town on business. The bad news is that I forgot my camera cable so I can't upload any pictures until we get back. The good news is that we're going to hit the Corner Bakery sometime today. I'm such a sucker for pastries.

Flat Shoes How I Love Thee

When I was in my early and mid 20's I would suffer the consequences of walking miles upon miles on = > 3" heels. I had blisters, swollen feet, corns, cuts, and plantar fasciitis. I inevitably started to accept flat shoes (heel = < 1.5") a few years ago when we started traveling and walking everywhere to explore.  I got used to wearing flats and likewise got used to accepting how short I am next to my 6'7 husband. I still wear my platforms and stilettos every now and then - I could never give them up - but the difference now is that I'm willing to pay a little more for comfortable heels. In conclusion, I love flat shoes because I no longer suffer and my feet love me. The good news is that there are millions of gorgeous flat shoes out there for me to gawk upon and one day give a home to.

Happy Monday Video From Jean, Colette, & Pretzel

Press Play

Happy Monday Everyone! Been one of those crazy productive Mondays unbeknownst where the energy level derived from. During my afternoon break I decided to dabble into video editing and whipped up a little something from the kids.

Anyway it's beautiful out - sunny and almost in the 50's. It was good enough for me to go out wearing shorts... but only for a short while. I can't wait for the spring so that I can create some curb appeal to our front and back yard. So exciting.

Typical Sunday @ the Arkhipov House

Pretzel & Colette wishing you a Happy Sunday

I love Sundays, especially when I am able to sleep in and drag myself out of bed at 10 AM. Technically I woke up today at 11 AM all considering the "Spring Forward" daylight-savings time. Nonetheless, I actually woke up to both Pretzel & Colette sitting on their window perch looking back at me as I made my way towards the loo. It was awkward and uncanny that they held their gaze with mine for what seemed like an entire minute. They're such absolute darlings waiting to be picked up, hugged, and kissed. 

There's so much things on my to do list today. I'm starting to hate saying, "I'm busy." I'd rather say, "I'm living life." Everyone is too busy and stressing themselves out that it's getting redundant and cliché as if its the norm in American society, as if one is unimportant and insignificant if they're not busy. Scrap it... what we need is a change of mindset. For example, I love when a million things are going on simultaneously, but instead of stressing I will problem solve my time management, pace myself, and slow it down to quality (not quantity) to finish whatever it is I'm doing. It's my first attempt to a zen life to reach some form of joriki. I will be blogging more about this in the future.

Even crazier news, my five week staycation has been decreased to 2 days. I had it all planned out with lots of cooking, thorough cleaning, decorating, window shopping, exercising, meditation, spending time with family and pets, and watching a few documentaries -- but I believe I can still achieve all of it in 2 days + the weekend... so I'm not exactly that upset about it. 

Plans for today:

• Typical Sunday "To Do" list (laundry, clean, etc.)
• Feed my mind and body by exercising and learning
• Doing something spontaneous
• Walk Pretz & Coletti outside
• Bring home a delicious dessert and blog about it
• Work, work, work...

Style-For-Style Saturday: Country Flare

{ Dress $44.50 -- Cowgirl Hat $12.99 -- Scarf $19.90 -- Jean Jacket $32.95 }

{ Bangles $19.99 -- Earrings $3.80 -- Ring $29.98 -- Boots $41.99-- Lip Gloss $7.00 }

Wednesday's List Happy Birthday Dad!!! Awesome Things About You

Happy Birthday to my awesome, awesome Dad. Yes, he is that awesome x infinity. Wish I had a picture of him alone but he likes taking pictures with Mom. Nonetheless, if I had half of my dad's intelligence, personality, and outlook in life, I would probably be doing something that makes a significant difference in the world. There's still hope, I am after all his daughter waiting for the intelligent gene to kick in. Anyway...

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

I Love You!!!!

The Chair

My bottom literally pasted itself on my computer chair while trying to finish up corporate tax returns, more work stuff, and what have you. The most surprising thing rising from the experience is how my body aches: legs, thighs, biceps, back, and neck soreness. I usually exercise in the morning and then in the afternoon; afterward I do my usual stretches - but the damage had been done from a week's worth of abundant sedentariness that no amount of exercise could have alleviated. On top of it all, I assume that my imaginary ulcer is worsening and my multiple neurosis is bordering hysterical. But it's incredible how I fight it all and appear sane. Maybe because I am just brilliant and amazing.

In all other news, one more week... one more week of torture and then... vacation!

Bedtime Thoughts:

How many couples sit side by side in bed this late at night browsing the net?
How many of those couples also have pets soundly sleeping in bed with them?

Style-For-Style SaturdayRomantic Vintage Inspired

Besides the Classic Style, another style I am growing to love is the vintage romantic look. It has a feel of innocence, cleanliness, and a euro flare to it. Of recent, the coloures and prints that I've observed in retail are light pastels and floral patterns. Gorgeous. I'm definitely ready for Spring 2011.

Product Review: Juice BeautyGreen Apple Peel & Green Applie Antioxidant Moisturizer

After searching for more than a year to find the perfect moisturizer for my aging self, I stumbled upon this awesome organic line called Juice Beauty from my sephora. It smells light (organic apple, lemon, grape juices), it feels light, and after a few nights my skin feels moisturized and ready for the harsh cold breeze in the morning. The Peel is rather nice as well. A little goes a long way and it makes your face tingle. Some of the reviews stated that their face got red but disappeared after a few minutes - this is because it's the full strength formula. Nonetheless, a great find and great for my skin. I will definitely look more into the brand. I'm starting to switch to organic skin care little by little.

Exotic Foods: Japanese Chocolate & Chips

How fun and exciting is life? There are so many people to meet; many places to go, explore, and experience; and so many different types of food to taste. I'm inundated with such goodness and I can't help but want more more more more more! If I had the chance, I would travel the world to soak up everything I could learn from every culture. This past Sunday Auntie Melanie, Julie, Michael, and I traveled towards Chicago to shop at several Asian markets. First we went to a Japanese Store, then Korean, and then headed to a Filipino store. I enjoyed the Japanese store the most because their culture fascinates me: their lifestyle, inventions, fashion, design, art, tv programs, and their minimalistic homes. Nonetheless, the first photo above is a chocolate bar called Meiji. The special thing about it is its baked in mini-marshmallows. The chocolate taste is pretty light (which I prefer) and the marshmallows taste like any other marshmallow. But I've never seen such combination sold in local grocery or specialty stores. The only place to find it within reach is if you make it yourself. The third picture is the back side of Japanese chips. It's veggie chips with three different veggie flavoures that are not too shabby. It's comparable to Veggie Crisps, which to me tastes better. Besides not knowing what it's called because I can't read the characters, it's still pretty cute - thus the basis of my purchase. There are other things I purchased which will be featured in future blog entries... stay tuned for exotic food adventures (taste bud adventures). :-)