Life Post

As for why I type out the Japanese equivalents --

• If you're anything like me, I like to do more thorough searches by using both the English and Japanese name (like if I'm searching for recipes)
• Sometimes the English equivalent isn't available (like on Restaurant Menus) and I've romanized it myself (hopefully correctly lol)
• I've taken language courses and want to keep practicing so I can at least read the text more quickly and recognize characters more

What have I been up to recently?
Well, I just finished my last exams for the semester -- Yay!! And I've been to Little Tokyo (J-Town) so much recently, well.. only like 3 times this month? but omg! the last time I went was in like 5th grade hahaha.

Wax display of some of the menu items at the entrance

Two of the times we ate at Hanaichimonme「花いちもんめ」in Little Tokyo Plaza, the ramen there is actually pretty good. 

Hanaichi Ramen 「花いちラーメン」

I forgot the name of this set xD but it includes Hanaichi Ramen and shumai.

Shiratama zenzai「白玉ぜんざい」

Dessert: Shiratama zenzai: Three very cute plain round mochi with red bean. (I forgot to take a picture before we started eating it hahahaha! ._. sorry) This is so good! It's not too sweet, just right ♥♥♥ This came with the Maiko Set I ordered (Hanaichi Ramen with 2 inari zushi and small shiratamazenzai).

In Little Tokyo Plaza (which used to be Yaohan Plaza) the original Yaohan market changed to a Mitsuwa, which changed to what's now "Woori Market"  ( 금주세일? Market) Which is mostly a Korean market. And outside to my surprise (though only on the 2nd and 3rd trip, 1st time this wasn't there) was an Oishii Japan 「おいしい日本」Stand selling takoyaki 「たこ焼き」, imagawayaki 「今川焼き」, taiyaki 「たい焼き」, and a few others. I really wanted some but couldn't find any room in my stomach after we ate ): and couldn't bring myself to buy some takoyaki before eating lunch hahaha.

Later on, in my most recent trips, we went to Marukai, and I got these 2 cups for 1$ each !! I absolutely adore them. There were others that were also a dollar each, but I felt these two were best ♥ Though I'm not sure whether the other Marukai stores carry these cups.

• Both cups have inner diameter of 3 inches or about 76mm. Outer diameter 3 ¼ inch or about 82mm
• Vertical height: 3 ½  inch or almost 90mm
• Handle / Ear : 1 ¼ inch width or about 32mm width
• Volume: a little more than 8oz or 240cc (240mL)
• Microwave & Dishwasher safe

The measurements seem quite small, but in real life I think it feels larger than that.  Most standard packets of hot chocolate around here call for 6oz of boiling water (so little D: !!).

Hm... what else? Oh! and the glittery pink with black polka dot mirror (not available at the Little Tokyo Marukai) I mentioned a bit in a previous post -- Pretty&Cute is selling some similar mirrors that fold and unfold the same way! with 6 different prints, and various sizes. The size of my mirror is about 7¼" x 5½" , the largest available being sold there is 8" x 6", and the next largest is smaller than the one I own. Nonetheless they're really cute! I'm tempted to buy the light pink one, even though I bought 2 mirrors recently (lol what is this? what do I need 2 mirrors for?) 

Ok I know I'm going to be too lazy to add more pictures than what I need to put in this post, so I'll stop for now xD.

♥ Ellie

Favorite Soup

So recently, my love for anything Japanese has increased, though don't get me wrong, I've always loved Japan since I was young. -- My mom having been cared for by a Japanese woman while she was young, and my dad's interest in Japanese botanical gardens, and his decision to learn the language (!). And also my sister-in-law having Japanese roots (have I said the word enough yet? xD) as well as my beloved boyfriend.

Anyway! One of my most favorite soups, is Japanese styled Corn Potage or Corn Soup（コーンポタジ or コーンスープ ）I'm not very good with cooking, and so I've been having powder-packet versions. Why am I sharing this? Well, I have a very limited knowledge of kanji (and hiragana HAHAHAHA -stuck with reading katakana-) and so I spent quite a while translating the instructions and wish to share the .. well the "jist" of it I suppose. I'm aware that I wont be 100% accurate (probably not even 50% but good enough!)

Okay, this is Hokkai Yamato's Sapporo Soup Factory Corn Soup (札幌スープファクトリーコーンスープ) There are different types of soups available from this brand, I also have a pumpkin soup that I have yet to try. And! My new favorite bowl (I love ♥♥♥ dishware LOL)

• Instructions: (1 serving)
• Empty contents of 1 packet into a coffee cup or mug cup.
• Add 150mL (2/3 cup) of boiling water, immediately stir for 15 seconds. (adjust amount of water to your preference)
• Please take caution as it will be hot (uh yeah boiling water.. right) and then some other stuff I coudln't figure out hahahaha.

So, pretty easy, just add water basically -- sorry I couldn't figure out the rest, this is what it says though if you're curious:

• 1袋の中身のをカップに入れます。
• 熱湯150mlを注ぎ、すぐに15秒ほどかきませてくださ。（熱湯を量はお好みにより調節してください。）
• お湯を注いでから約1分で出来上がりです。 （１５０mlのめやすはマグカップ約６分目、コーヒーカップ約８分目です。）

I know I know "wtf, she can type out all the kanji and hiragana/katakana but can't read/understand it?" Yep! That's exactly it hahaha, I learned how to find kanji quickly in a dictionary so I'm able to type it out, but even if I'm able to translate each word, I still struggle to comprehend completely as I'm not well versed in Japanese.

Example: 「すぐに15秒ほどかきませてくださ。」

• I stupidly read it as "immediately after 15 seconds, please stir" and was quite perplexed as to why I would have to wait before stirring despite the obvious particle explaining (lolol i'm stupid shuttup) so I asked my boyfriend, only for him to laugh and tell me it's "please stir for 15 seconds after (pouring the hot water)". Sigh.. lol (his kanji isn't that great either so yeah...)

OKok.. I know I've written too much about something that isn't related to the soup really LOl. I really liked it, though the soup was quite thin, and not thick like in the picture but the taste was quite good so that's totally fine with me ♥♥

I've found a few recipes for this, and hopefully I will be able to make it well enough soon so I can also share my experience and impress some family&friends ;)

♥♥ Ellie

More Shopping

Hey! So.... being the klutz I am, I lost my battery charger for my camera battery sigh sigh sigh hahaha, but alas! I've found it and so here are more.. recent purchases. During the month of December, my home seems to get a package every other day if not everyday hahaha (not just my purchases, but my family's as well). You know, the electronic signature thing that the postmen/women use? I don't know if it's just me, but my signature turns into something like ^^^^^^^  after signing ahaha

Okay! (long post ><) So, back in November Pretty&Cute had their black friday sale (25% off everything), and finally decided to take the plunge and purchase some false eyelashes and an eyelash adhesive.

Now, I've never worn false eyelashes, so I must admit I went a little overboard since I wasn't sure if I'd like them (the deal was too good D: !!). As I haven't tried all of them, and don't have much to compare to I will only say as much as I've observed (sorry ><) From Top left to right, then bottom left to right:

• Dear Laura PA: eye-01 "Soothing Beauty" 
• Black colored spine, criss-cross design, the band itself is shorter than the length of my eye (the length along the curve of my eyelid is about 15/16ths of an inch or just shy of 3cm) Seemed to blend well with my lashes.
• Lioele: Doe-Eyed (double) 03
• D-Up Eyelashes Fixer EX: 553 (black type)
• Very sticky, and very black. I had some trouble removing it though, from both my skin and the lash band -- It detached easily when I ran a q-tip, soaked in makeup remover, along the band on my eyelid, but I had trouble getting the glue residue off the band. Possibly just user error, as I'm not experienced with lashes haha. Though I have tried the ardell duo lash grip, and that peeled off easily for me in piece. 
• Koji Dolly Wink: No.1 Dolly Sweet
• Koji Dolly Wink: No.2 Sweet Girly
• Koji Dolly Wink: No.3 Natural Girly
• Koji Dolly Wink: No.4 Feminine Style

Ok so I've only made a few attempts, and have learned that I'm quite terrible at putting on false lashes hahaha.  

Another thing I noticed was that Dolly Wink 1 and 2 are longer width-wise compared to 3 and 4. I didn't purchase the lower lashes as my lower lashes, with just 1 coat of mascara, become as long and dark as my upper lashes and then I start to feel my face looks really weird ^^;

And so after messing around with the eyelashes, I noticed I was running really low on makeup remover. For a  while now I'd been looking at Mandom's Cleansing Express bottles over in Mitsuwa and Marukai and was really curious about it -- then lo and behold, XiaXue did an advertorial on the line (though under it's new name Bifesta) I purchased the Bright Up version, rather than the Sebum version despite my oily combination skin. I can't say whether I made the right choice xD, I figured my skin is going through some major changes atm (I've gone from being super super oily, to having patches of dry skin on my face, and developing eczema on my body ><) and also, my skin has always been a bit dull so.. yeah xD

This remover is water based (!!!) I really disliked the oily residue and sheen left behind with other makeup removers, especially since my eyelids tend to get oily on the fold of my double eyelid.  It seems to work just as well as my previous remover (the cheap blue colored kind where you shake it).

This remover is a pump bottle (much like lotion or hand soap bottles) that also has a plastic lock for the neck that's can be taken off before use and easily snaps back on to the neck once you're done. This lock is used for many japanese products, and I absolutely love it! I'm extremely clumsy so something I'll some how press the pump (wtf ? I know..) and will waste product without meaning to! What I like about this remover:

• Water based, feels like water -- not thick or filmy
• Pump bottle rather than pour (can press down slowly to regulate amount that comes out as well)
• Don't have to shake the bottle
• No smell (I'm a bit sensitive to scents, though most removers I've used don't smell like anything)

This remover may be a bit expensive though due to being imported -- If I recall correctly, I got it for about 11$ though I've seen it online for 15-17$.

The CS-Being facial cotton is quite soft, was $2.xx, 110 squares. It's quite soft, but I feel it could still be softer, they're quite fluffy and can be peeled in half (so it's like 2 sheets in 1?), the fibers run in 1 direction so if you pull against the grain, the square will stretch a bit, and if you pull along the grain it'll rip in half. Also the package is perforated lengthwise along the front, so you can open it that way (much like the plastic menstrual pad packages).

another view & ingredients: 1,2

Lioele Powdery Sun Chiffon (also purchased from Pretty&Cute)

• SPF 50
• Fluffy mousse texture, spreads easily
• Absolutely not oily, sticky, or greasy feeling; matte-like finish
• Can work as a primer (feels that way to me at least)
• Shiny mirror-like lid (minor distortion in reflection)
• Comes with inner-lid, and spatula (sadly spatula does not fit inside)
• Very soft slightly powdery, barely floral scent (I want to say it's similar to the smell of Sanrio stores lol)
• Lasts fairly long time (little goes a long way)

Ok, so I absolutely love this sunscreen, I didn't purchase two, the set on the left is actually the EMPTY jar that I finished. I've noticed that my skin, for some reason turns really dark o_o on its own throughout the day, It's really strange lol, but using this really helps my skin from changing color both from the sun and.. for reasons unknown (dirt & oil already taken into consideration, it happens after I shower too and stay in my clean bathroom o.o!).

The spatula (the straight one as shown) is really good and helps keep everything sanitary, but I really wish Lioele provided one that would fit between the 2 lids. The curved spatula shown in the picture is similar to the one you can find at Sephora, which fits perfectly! So yeah I really recommend this product! Super recommend it if I could! The scent is very faint, and can't be detected once applied. (oh, also on the container there should be a plastic seal around the sides that has a perforated section, so yeah!)

and so.. I'll end this one for now, it's so long D: I have troubles being concise sorry ><

♥ Ellie

Haul & Heart Spam

Been a while, sorry for removing posts but anyway -- What I've gotten recently:

From Mitsuwa: Panna AHA Morning Face Soap, Biore Marshmallow Whip foaming cleanser

• Both are foam cleansers with very dense foam (I also own a Shu Uemura foam cleanser which is less dense) I love the feel of foam cleansers haha, so I would say they are quite nice. Though for me, although I have oily combination skin, they do make my skin feel a bit taut after use, though there are many great reviews on the Biore one -- perhaps it's just me? I wouldn't say my skin feels super dry or anything, just a tad tight. ♥♥♥♥♥

From Target: Maybelline Baby Lips lip balm, Volume Express Mascara, and 2 Colossal (aka Magnum) mascara.

• The picture shows 5 balms, I actually got 6 and gave the purple one to my mom (grape flavored one). These lip balms are around $3-4 each, so they might be a bit expensive for some. I'm really stingy when it comes to lip products even though I shouldn't neglect my lips xD I got lucky and got all six for about 3$. They're very moisturizing and don't have the waxy feel to them, but I must mention they have the lip balm/ chapstick taste to them which I don't like. Other than that, they keep me from being chaptastic!♥♥♥♥♥

From Marukai: Sana Hadanomy Collagen Mist $6 (approx)

• The heart shaped bottle is so cute! I definitely couldn't resist getting this! (though I own the Limited Edition Summer Lemon Collagen Mist that has the same bottle but yellow colored) I've been using this mist to help moisturize my face as it absorbs quickly. Also my body is going through some change as my hair and skin type have both become much much less oily. ♥♥♥♥♥

From Sephora: Chloe by Chloe EDP Rollerball 25$

• I absolutely love this perfume, but it's so expensive! Also the cap on the one I received is a little wonky, so I might try to get it exchanged at Sephora as I'm afraid it might start to leak. I really can't describe the smell of this one, most reviews mention a very strong rose scent, but it isn't that way with my body chemistry there's a stronger fruity smell than floral. Well I'm sure that explained nothing hahaha, but I do love it! (and rose and other flowers usually just smell like grass to me xD..) ♥♥♥♥♥

Hello Kitty Key Covers: Hoodie (devil? and ?? swimming cap? hahahahah no idea but it's cute!)

• I also got these from Marukai to cover my car key -- The normal black plastic on my car key actually broke off and there's no loop on the metal, but luckily for me they fit in most key caps! They're super cute and you can take off the pink "hood" to reveal a normal hello kitty! I much prefer these over the other more "flat" key covers, they're made of silicon? perhaps, quite solid but still a bit soft, but definitely not like stress relief balls or anything. Lint sticks to them a bit as you can see in the image, but easily wiped off. Love them! ♥♥♥♥♥

From Marukai: SCawaii [エス カワイイ] November 2011 - W♥C Kumatan Tissue Pouch

• Pouch has zipper top to store small items, and a center slit on the side to dispense tissue from tissue packets (Puffs to-go tissue packs fit perfectly!) Kumatan design is super cute, I love this brand and was so happy to get it! The white in the image is tissue sticking out haha, of course it wont usually be sticking out like that.

From Sanseido: Non-no [ノンノ] January 2012 - Pink&White Polka Dot Pouch with Lip Balm

• The pink pouch is of a satiny material, and in my opinion, the PERFECT pink color. I really love more orangey pinks haha, the zip is not just across the top, but along both of the short sides so it opens wide. Inside there is a square pocket and 3 sectioned elastic parts to place items. The lip balm is by Mogitate Kajitsu [もぎたて果実] with noted collaboration with Shueisha: Non-no (the magazine and publisher) in Strawberry Macaron flavor [いちごマカロンの香り]

From Kinokuniya: Cutie [キューティ] November 2011 - Black&White Polka Dot Mirror with Pouch

• Better Image of mirror, it also comes with a cute pouch to carry it in, or use as a makeup bag separately but still match the cute mirror! Also this mirror is a collaboration with the brand Cecil McBee [セシルマクビー]. And just to mention this, on the white spots on the mirror there is pink script that reads C.M.

Japanese Magazines! Oh how I love them <3 I know I know, they're expensive and you can read scans online, but I find I actually read or at least study each page much more with a physical copy -- not sure why that is.  And of course another plus is getting a special item along with some issues xD.  ♥♥♥♥♥

From Marukai: 「ファブリックミラー  ドットピンク」 $16.50 (ouch but omg so cute)

• Translation: Fabric Mirror Dot Pink (dot pink is the design/style name) There were two other designs which I didn't really care for and didn't take a picture of (sorry) this opens the same way as the black&white Cutie magazine mirror. Isn't it so super sparkly? I love it a lot! ♥♥♥♥♥

Thanks all for now, ♥ Ellie