Knitted Fingerless Gloves (Magic Loop Method)

  

Needle Size: US 6 (4 mm) Addi Turbo Circular Needles (29 inches)

Yarn Weight: Worsted / 10 ply ( 9 wpi )

This was knitted using the Magic Loop Method, which I prefer over double pointed needles any day. I was originally knitting gloves for the husband, but it was too small, so now they are mine. :)

I actually finished this last week, but I never got around to taking pictures. This project took me longer than planned due to my friend, procrastination, visiting. But if I really focused, I could definitely knit a pair of gloves in a couple of hours. Right now, in addition to other projects and orders, I am currently working on another pair for him. Hopefully, going up a needle size would work fit/size-wise. We shall see, I guess...

xx,

Pamela

The Seven Baby Steps

As some of you may know, I have been focused on getting my financial life in order so I can then achieve my other goals. My goals are:

1. To pay off all my credit cards
2. Buy a house
3. Start having babies (LOL)
4. Own a business
5. Retire in style

Yes, Goal # 3 sounds funny coming from me, but eventually I do want kids. I say "eventually" because I want to own a house first before I start popping them out. I want to be financially in control because having a baby is expensive. Imagine the expenses involved in buying/owning a house (utilities, mortgage, TAXES, repairs, to name a few), then you add a baby to the list.

Owning a house will always come with financial burden (for lack of a better word), but that's the thing... I don't want it to be a burden. Realistically, having a baby first then buying a house, or having a baby and buying a house at the same time, can be done... And I'm sure it has been done this way more times than not... But wouldn't it be better if my husband and I are financially stable before we have a baby?

I've heard different things from different people. One, told me that it was just another (about) $100 extra monthly expense. I don't believe her. LOL. Maybe for the diapers and food... but in the long run (*ahem* college), it'll be much more. Plus, I want to be able to provide comfortably for my future children. I want to be able to buy every single one of them the latest in toys, gadgets, etc... if I want to. Yes, if I want to. It doesn't mean I will. I don't want to super spoil them, but I want to know that I could.

With these (long term) goals in mind, I have been reading and researching a lot about budgeting, paying off debts, and eventually living debt-free. One financial "guru" really made an impact on me- Dave Ramsey from www.daveramsey.com. Granted, he's selling books and software to help you "change your life," but his website is still full of information on how to get to your financial goals, and how to secure your financial future. I have never read any of his books, nor have I tried his software, but what I love about his website is the fact that someone like me, who knows pretty much nothing about finances, is not overwhelmed by all the information. He (or his people) had listed things in steps, and had explained everything in layman's terms.

One of the things that really got my attention is The Seven Baby Steps.

Baby Step 1 - $1000 to start an Emergency Fund
From what I understand, this is different from a Savings Fund/Account. This is strictly for emergencies, such as unplanned car or house repairs, or hospital bills. I say "unplanned" because if you can somehow plan for it, factor it in your budget without having the need to dip in this fund, then I guess it's not really an emergency. The money in this fund cannot be touched unless it's an emergency. I believe a Savings Fund is for your future and, I guess, for super-emergencies only...

 Baby Step 2 - Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
I especially love and agree with this one! You pay off the smaller debts (balances) first, then work yourself up to the big stuff. In this method, the interest rate doesn't matter unless you come across a debt that it pretty much around the same amount. When you do, you pay off the one with the higher interest rate first, obviously. You pretty much pay the monthly minimum for the other bills, concentrating/paying more towards the smallest bill. Once you pay off that debt, you then put whatever dollar amount you were using to pay for it monthly towards the next smaller debt. You keep doing this until all your debts are paid. I love it and its concept! Once you pay off a debt, no matter how small, it gives you this feeling of accomplishment and keeps you motivated. It's like losing weight... Once you see the numbers on the scale going down, it keeps you motivated to stick to your diet!

Baby Step 3 - Three to Six months of expenses in savings
The goal here is to have enough money in your savings to support you and your family for three to six months should you lose your job. First, you need to calculate how much you need/spend monthly, multiply it by three or six. The dollar amount you come up with is your minimum goal to have in your savings.

Baby Step 4 - Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement
Once you've accomplished Steps 1 to 3, meaning you have no debt, then you can start investing. I am already doing this (although not 15%) through my 401K. I guess once I reach this step, I should really be investing 15%, and hopefully, I would be more stock market "savvy," that way I would be investing in areas where I can get the maximum rewards.

Baby Step 5 - College funding for children
I didn't really research this area that much, but apparently, you have to figure out how much you should be saving at 12% interest in order to have enough for college. I'm assuming this is per kid. Need I say more? If I choose not to have kids, can I skip this step? LOL.

Baby Step 6 - Pay off your house early
At this point, you should have extra money (even while doing Steps 4 and 5) that you should put towards paying off your mortgage. That way, you'll truly be debt-free earlier.

Baby Step 7 - Build wealth and give
Enjoy the fruit of your success and hard work, but try to leave an inheritance for future generations. Also, don't forget to give back and help the less fortunate ones!

I can't wait to start crossing things off this list. I have definitely met the requirement for Step 1, I am currently working on Step 2, and I am sort of doing Steps 3 and 4. I am getting there... LOL.

xx,
Pamela

Let's Talk Knits...

I know it's summer and it's too damn hot to even think about winter accessories, or even just handling yarn in general, but how pretty is this scarf?

Image courtesy of: Maryse Roudier

It's called the Gathered Scarf, and the pattern is by the very talented Maryse Roudier. Even her name sounds cool! This is definitely going under My Future Projects section, and I can't wait to work on it. As of now, I am currently working on 3 (knitting & crocheting) projects, which I hope to finish soon.

xx,
Pamela

The 52 Week Money Challenge

To help me save, I've enlisted my sisters and the hubby to do this challenge with me.

What is it?
A simple way to save money. I won't have a boat load of money at the end, but it's still extra cash. Plus, I am mostly doing this to condition myself to put away a little money every week. It's starts off small, which I think is great! If I do it this way, I have a higher chance of completing (than quitting) this challenge.

How does it work?
I have to save the dollar amount of whatever week I am in. For example, I have to save $1 for Week 1, $2 for Week 2, $3 for Week 3, and so on... It'll be $52 for Week 52. By the end of this challenge, I should have $1378.

(Image courtesy of: www.savingeveryday.net)

Oh yes, I am dead serious about saving and being frugal. Can you tell? LOL.

On a different note, I was able to catch up on my reading recently. And of course, first up on my list was Dead Ever After, the thirteenth and final installment in the Sookie Stackhouse novels. I don't want to spoil it for the others who have yet to read it, but I am disappointed with it. Actually, halfway through, I was very tempted to just stop reading. But I invested (money and time) in the other twelve novels, and I felt I owe it to the characters, whom I have grown to love, to finish it. I was (still am) disappointed with the main and sub plots of this particular installment. And of course, even though I saw it coming, I was still disappointed that Sookie did not end up with the one I was hoping she would. (If you know me, you know who I'm referring to.) The ending, and how she tried to tie everything up, just didn't make that much sense to me... There were a lot of inconsistencies. The writing felt sloppy and rushed. In addition to the book being very anti-climatic, the author pretty much murdered all the characters. She just didn't seem to care any more. After all that the characters (and I) have been through from Book One to Twelve, this book was a big -please excuse my language- F*CK YOU to the characters and the readers. That's what it was. I will just leave it at that.

Image courtesy of: www.amazon.com

On a good note, the ending wasn't concrete so who knows...? Actually, Charlaine Harris is coming out with another book, After Dead: What Came Next in the World of Sookie Stackhouse, so there is still hope. Although it is not a novel, I may still get the ending I want. From what I understand, it will just list all the characters of the book and what happened to them in the future. I am considering buying it... (Even though I probably shouldn't since, clearly, the author seems to have lost all care for the characters, and her readers... Maybe I'll just borrow it from the library then. LOL.) And yes, I am crossing my fingers that I will still somehow get the "H.E.A." I want. :)

xx,
Pamela

"Budgets are a necessary evil."

Frugal - [froo-guhl]
adjective

1. economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful: What your office needs is a frugal manager who can save you money without resorting to painful cutbacks. 

     Synonyms: thrifty, chary, provident, careful, prudent, penny-wise, scrimping; miserly, Scotch, penny-pinching.

     Antonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, prodigal, profligate.

2. entailing little expense; requiring few resources; meager; scanty: a frugal meal.

     Synonyms: scant, slim, sparing, skimpy.

     Antonyms: luxurious, lavish, profuse.

(Definition courtesy of: www.dictionary.com)

 

-o-o-o-

Ever since I got my first job at the age of seventeen, I have always been financially independent from my parents. I never asked them for pocket money, or allowance. I would buy my own clothes, shoes, etc. And since it's my own money, I didn't have to explain my expenses to my parents. And maybe it's this taste of "independence" that got me where I am today- a person who needs a crash course on frugality.

I have long achieved financial independence, now I need to achieve financial freedom. In order to accomplish the long-term part of Goal # 2 from my previous post (to pay off all my debts), I need to be more careful with how, and where, I spend my hard-earned cash. I don't need to be one of those hard-core frugal people. I just need to be better in managing my finances if I were to follow through on this. With this in mind, I have decided to make a list of things I can do to help guide me.

1. No more eating out.
     Unless, of course, it's unavoidable. Let's be realistic: I am not giving up "going out," or hanging out with friends. And for most of the times, going out comes with spending. Plus, sometimes you have to eat out for special occasions. I just have to limit, set budget, and brown-bag it whenever I can. After all, I am trying to be frugal, not cheap.

2. No more unnecessary purchases.
     No doubt, I am guilty of this. However, if I come across the perfect pair of red, strap, stiletto sandals, I will buy it. I have been on the hunt since I broke my favorite pair a couple of years ago. But I will give up buying yarn and makeup (two of my many weaknesses!) I don't need. (Ugh! This means I have to give up my weekly trips to A.C. Moore, Michael's, Target, Harmon, and/or Sephora!)

3. No more new clothes.
     Key word: new. If I want to update my wardrobe, I will try to refashion what I already own, or just borrow from my sisters. That's what they are there for! LOL. Actually, this will give me the motivation to be more creative... Time to break out the sewing machine. :)
4. My savings account is OFF LIMITS!
     I have to remember that a savings account is for real emergencies only. Also, I will try to put a percentage of my paycheck every pay day.

I am also giving myself a weekly allowance, which I can either spend or save. I know it's going to be harder than it sounds but I am willing to really try. Hopefully, this guideline will make it easier. I just have to remind myself that I am doing this to reach a bigger goal- to buy a house. :)

Now since we are on the subject of being frugal, I feel the need to confess... I did just buy the Samsung Galaxy S4 this past Sunday. Did I need it? Of course not, but I wanted it. I promise that this will be my last unnecessary splurge. (I think...)

And speaking of unnecessary spending. I had to go to on an unscheduled visit to my doctor yesterday, which led to me paying a $50 co-pay. It was all because I have a soft spot for spiders. I wouldn't let my co-worker kill a spider yesterday. In fact, I tried to save it. And since I have no fear of them, I decided to bring/carry the little guy outside with my bare hands. Of course, the spider, not knowing what I was up to, decided to bite me in defense. (Oh yes, the irony...)

At first, it wasn't a big deal, but then I started to experience a slight tingling, which then proceeded to slowly spread up my arm. Apparently, that was the spider's venom slowly spreading through. I had to go to my doctor to get medication, which was administered by injection in my uh... gluteal region. Now a day later, the tingling is gone and my arm feels better. All that is left of my experience is a tiny spider bite on my left palm (which now looks like a mosquito bite), a (still) sore butt cheek, and a $50 hole in my wallet. Lesson learned. LOL.

xx,
Pamela

Goals for July and August

"... Okay, so, um... like what are your guys' hopes and dreams?"  - Josie Geller in Never Been Kissed

-o-o-o-

Oh, I have big dreams. And in order to achieve them , I need to make major changes in my life. Lately, I've been thinking about making these changes more so than ever. I do this a lot. I make a list of goals but then fall short of following through on them. This time, maybe if I blog about it, I will actually accomplish them. I will make them realistic and attainable. And if I have to, I will also break each goal down so that I don't overwhelm myself, especially with paying off my debt. I will also give myself target dates, that way I am really forced to stick to whatever it is I need to do to get to where I want to be.

Goal # 1 - Lose 5 lbs by August 09, 2013
Since the husband and I met, I have put on about 15 lbs. My goal is to lose only 5 lbs because I actually lost 10 lbs already. What?! What?! I heard that it is really hard to lose the last 5 lbs but I have gotten this far so I know I can do it! I just need to be stronger. Lately, my cravings have been out of control... I must keep them in check!

Goal # 2 - Pay off two of my credit cards by August 31, 2013
The goal is really to pay off all my debt. Eventually. Sadly, I have quite a collection of credit cards... Let's face it, I won't be able to pay them off overnight. It will definitely take months. But so I don't overwhelm myself, I will just do one or two credit cards at a time. Since this is the internet, that is all I will mention in this category. One can't be too careful nowadays...

Goal # 3 - Organize all my receipts and documents by July 23, 2013
I am giving myself two weeks to do this. This includes checking all those lotto tickets I have bought and accumulated. I could already be a millionaire and not know it! (Hey, that will take care of Goal # 2!)

I think three goals for now should do it. If I happen to accomplish one before the target date, then I will update it, and add another goal or two.

Wish me luck!

xx,
Pamela

Well, hello there...

Whenever I neglect my blog, I always feel the need to start off by explaining myself... to give some sort of a valid excuse. But the truth is, the main reason I haven't blogged is plain laziness. And since I am being honest, the reason I am blogging right now is also laziness. I am supposed to be cleaning, and in the middle of it, I chose to take a little break and blog. Yes, because I just had to. Procrastination in its truest form.

Now that that is out of the way, let me go back to cleaning. Next up on my list... shredding old documents and receipts. Yay! Fun!

xx,
Pamela

We got spirit. Yes, we do!

My co-worker ordered these beanies from me. They were inspired by the University of New Hampshire's Wildcat mascot. I used the school colors, which are gray and blue, and put cat ears on them. She gave them as Christmas gifts to a couple of people who attend the school. According to her, they loved the beanies. :)

Maybe I should make more animal inspired beanies...?  Maybe, but right now I am currently working on another project. I am super excited about this... Hopefully, it'll turn out the way I want it to..

xx,
Pamela

Goodbye. Hello.

Dear blog, I know I have been neglecting you. I have my reasons, which I know will only sound like excuses. Reasons... excuses... Call them what you want, but they are legit.

First, I never thought that my etsy store (www.charmed.etsy.com) would take off the way it did. I am now constantly knitting or crocheting in my spare time. I am not complaining. It can be stressful at times, I admit, especially this past month and a half with all the holiday orders I was getting. But I am getting paid to do what I love. How can I complain about that?

Second, I was, and still am, a little apprehensive about blogging since being stalked (for lack of a better word- Wait... That is what she did...) by my husband's ex. I understand that my blog is public and with that, I am letting the bad in with the good. But it was off putting to know that she sought me out... to maybe size me up...? I don't know... But I highly doubt she was looking at my blog (all those times) to check out my knitting.

But now that the new year is here, I hope to be a better blogger (among other things...) This is not going to be a New Year's resolutions post... but maybe the next post? Haha! This is a quick post to say good bye to 2012, and welcome to 2013. 2012 was definitely a memorable year, but what year wasn't?

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!

2013, please be good to me and to all those I care about. :)

xx,
Pamela

Over The "Heel"

So this past weekend was The Most Holy Rosary Families' annual dinner-dance. (Photos to follow, hopefully...) The night, of course, consisted of food and dancing... I love to dance. More importantly, I love to dance in heels... And that night was no exception- I put on my 5 to 5.5 inches platform sandals, and I was ready to face the night. (The actual heel probably measured around 4 to 4.5 inches.)

The event started at 7 pm and ended at midnight. I walked, pranced, skipped, and danced in my heels. I rarely sat down. My shoes/feet didn't start bothering me until after 11 pm. I was actually pretty surprised that I lasted that long, considering all the dancing and walking I did.

I remember years ago when I almost always wore heels. A quick trip to the supermarket? No problem... I'd quickly get dressed, throw on a pair of heels, and off I went. Chill and walk around the city for hours? No biggie... Nothing that my heels and I can't handle. I used to joke around and say that I was training to be one of the Charlie's Angels. I would literally run, jump, and kick in my heels, and I would feel no pain. LOL. And I didn't own any heels shorter than 4 inches! My motto is (yes, still is...): The higher, the better.

So, what happened? Why couldn't I make it a measly 5 hours in heels now? Have I reached that point where my feet refuse to do/wear anything uncomfortable, regardless of how cute the shoes are? Are my feet and I maturing...Are my feet and I "over the hill?" Or are we simply just over the "heel?" (Hahaha!)

Ballet flats took over the world. It was in late 2008, or early 2009, when I finally gave in to wearing them. And who could resist them? They came in different styles and colors... It was comfort and style all rolled into one! Before the reign of the ballet shoes, the only times I wore anything "flat" was when I had to wear sneakers and my Timberland boots. But I wore those out of necessity (work, and when it's snowing/icy outside!) And now, my "go to" shoes are any one of my ballet flats, my biker boots, or my TOMS shoes.

All shoe images are courtesy of www.nordstrom.com

I am not ready, nor will I ever be ready, to give up my heels (anytime soon). I don't want to give up my flats or my boots either. It's just sometimes really inconvenient for me to be carrying "back up" shoes on the days that I do wear heels. I miss those days when there wasn't a pair of heels (high or low, leather, suede, expensive or inexpensive) that I couldn't handle. I probably just need re-train my feet... increase their stamina against high heels again. LOL.

Yes, that must it... and it must be done. With that said, I will officially start training my feet again. But before I do that, I must get the proper equipments... I must buy new shoes! LOL. After all, nobody does weight lifting without weights! :)

xoxo,
Pamela

Motivated...

With summer fast approaching, people have been posting before and after losing weight photos of themselves. If I did that, it'll be the opposite. I came across old pictures of myself, and I am now motivated to lose the 15 "happy" lbs. that I have gained since being with the man. LOL. Yes... ever the procrastinator that I am, leave it to me to wait one month before summer to actually think about losing weight. I'll even be satisfied if I lose just 10 lbs since I don't want to be too skinny anyway. I saw pictures when I weighed around 105 lbs, and I did not like how skinny my face looked. I just want to fit into my old clothes damn it! LOL.

So here are the goals:

1. Go back to the gym - I actually miss going to the gym. I know this is going to be challenging time-wise, since I'm usually knitting (filling orders) as soon as I get home from work until I go to bed. But I am motivated now... I just need to convince one, or both, of my sisters (or my best friend) to be my gym partner. The husband is so diligent about going that it makes me feel like a complete fat ass. Who wouldn't? He goes to the gym at least 3 times per week while I sit on my ass, catch up on my shows, knit, and snack! Which brings me to goal # 2...

2. Cut out junk food -  I love to snack, and I do mean I love to snack! And it's usually not the healthy kind... Chocolates, donuts, danishes, cake, ice cream,  gummy candies just to mention a few... I need to either cut way back on those, or at least, replace my snacks with healthier, less fattening options. I need to seriously control my cravings... I am a bit of a control freak so there should be no problem with that... right?

3. Drink plenty of water -  More water in your belly means less room for junk food to fit... and you'll feel full faster when eating. I definitely do not drink the required amount per day. Now is a good time to start... :)

4. Eat in moderation - YES! The way I eat you'd think that it was my last meal! I need to learn to stop eating when I am full. Before I start to feel full would be better! LOL. I read somewhere that multitasking while eating is a big no-no since your brain doesn't register that you're full right away... Your brain, I guess, is too busy doing other stuff that... and maybe it's a prioritizing thing on how important the things you are doing are... but it ignores your stomach until the last possible second. Plus, if you're not doing other stuff while eating, you're able to savor and enjoy the meal better, which means the meal will leave you and your stomach more satisfied, which means less snacking later...? (Something like that... It's all science, really... LOL.) Anyway, I am very guilty of this. I almost always multitask when eating. I hate the feeling that I am wasting time, and that's how I feel when I'm eating and not doing something else, like reading or watching t.v. I find it funny that I feel that way since I am a self proclaimed procrastinator... Maybe I just need to...

5. Manage my time better - Another YES! If I get a handle on this, I'd be able to go to the gym everyday (right...) and still have time to do my knitting. Plus, I'd have time to do my other crafts, read, clean, and go out and chill! Think of the endless possibilities! LOL. But seriously, I do need to manage
my time better. First step: buy a planner! Or just take advantage of  the calendar feature on my phone...

I am so excited! And now that I have written this down, it makes it almost official. Like I need to follow through with this, or the blogging community will come after me and tie me to a stake. Who wants that? LOL.

Well, today is Thursday, May 17, 2012... Day 1 starts now... let's see what I can accomplish today... Wish me luck!

xoxo,
Pamela

Photoblog for April (04.13.12)

 April 13, 2012

Friday, the 13th... We met up with our friends that night in Times Square. They had out of town visitors and were showing them around NYC. We then went to Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center... pretty much just walked around and chilled. :)

(Photos taken with my Panasonic Lumix GF2 with wide angle lens.)

Times Square, NYC

The ladies...

Photoblog for April (04.06.12 to 04.08.12)

As I had mentioned in my previous entry, I was going to do a blog entry with a compilation of pictures and events that took place this past April. However, while I was going through all the pictures, I realized that there were just too many pictures to put in one blog. So I'm just going to do it by weekend.

This photo dump will be about the first weekend of April...

April 6, 2012 to April 8, 2012

That Friday was my second year (boyfriend/girlfriend) anniversary with Elo. Yes, we still celebrate that! LOL. And to celebrate, we decided to double date and hit up Le Poison Rouge in NYC with our friends, Louie and Carla.

Oh, and I know that Friday is a weekday... But in my book, the weekend starts the second you clock out of work. :)

(Photos taken with my Canon PowerShot SD940 IS.)

AHA Heart Walk 2012

My next blog entry was supposed to be a compilation of pictures and events that took place this past April. But since I still haven't gotten around to going through all the pictures, and picking out the ones I'd like to post, I'll just write about the Heart Walk.

Every year our team, RE:Joyce, which mostly consists of family and close friends, raise money and walk for the American Heart Association. We do this in memory of our cousin, Roxanne Joyce Solis, who passed away at age of 22 in 2003. This year's AHA Heart Walk took place at Lake Welch, NY on May 6, 2012. Our team raised over $2,000.  The place was beautiful, but the path was too narrow to do any power walking or running. The weather was okay... It was gloomy and cloudy... We walked around in fear of rain! LOL. But at least it  wasn't cold (or hot).  After the event, we went to my cousins' house to eat, chill, and ass out. LOL.

Oh... And please don't mind my eyes... They were all swollen from allergies. :(

(Photos taken with my Canon PowerShot SD940 IS, unless stated otherwise.)

 

They had a volunteer chef...

Blast From the Past: Random Photos

Just for the sake of updating this blog, I am uploading random photos that were taken at various times in my life...

My love... my baby boy, Simba, playing in the snow...

(Taken on December 27, 2010)

My girls! From left to right: Carla, Peejay, Phoebe, Macy, me

(Taken on January 15, 2010 at Wuzz Up Cafe in New Jersey)

At Bryant Park NYC :)

(Taken on April 11, 2010, courtesy of my sister, Peejay)

There are more pictures, which I will post once I steal them from the sister.  In some of the pictures, the then boyfriend posed as if he were proposing to me... Who would have thought that he will actually be proposing to me less than a year later? :)

Me dressed up as Chun Li! My favorite costume ever!
 (Taken on Halloween 2009 at Taste Of Asia in Queens, NY)

 I'm almost caught up with my orders... Maybe I can properly update this thing before I take the next batch of orders. We'll see, I guess... :)

xoxo,
Pamela

New Hair...

DIY Ombre Hair... And because it's been a while since I last posted something...

 It's a beautiful day outside... Hope you all enjoy it!

xoxo,
Pamela

Blast From the Past: June 25, 2011

Since I am definitely behind in updating this blog, I have decided on writing a few entries here and there titled: Blast From the Past.  And each entry will feature an event or occasion that happened (in my life) that I feel like blogging about.  This "event" could have happened months ago, years, ago... whatever! :)

Honestly, these entries will probably be more of a photo dump than an actual entry itself.  LOL.

Today's Blast From the Past will be about the night of  June 25, 2011.  I chose to blog about this night first because it was the first outing where I actually used my then-brand-new Panasonic Lumix GF2 camera.  :)

The husband and I had a double date with my best friend, Carla, and her boyfriend, Lowell.  First, we went bowling at 34th Lane, then we went to Fayrooz Cafe and Lounge to do some hookah!  (This was my second time going to that hookah bar... The first time was on another double date with another couple.)  Anyway, they actually had a belly dancer! I wish I took a picture of her but I wasn't sure if I was allowed... Plus, I was too busy watching her dance! LOL.

Well, on to the photo dump... These are just some of the pictures we took.

(Photos taken with my Panasonic Lumix GF2.)

Our colorful bowling balls... Mine was the pink one. Obviously. LOL.

Bowling at 34th Lane in Queens

Lowell's turn...

The hubby's turn...

Carla's turn...

My turn!

Me with my two loves!

Drinks up!

Cheers!

Hookah time!

Lowell

Carla (Being the only one out of the four of us who didn't really smoke, she had a hard time at first...)

Me!

Elo

The two lovebirds...

Best Friends Forever!

Group Pic, Take 1

Group Pic, Take 2

I had a lot of fun that night... I can't wait to until we go to a hookah bar again. :)

Well, back to my knitting/crocheting.  I'm in the middle of developing an idea...

-Pamela Joyce

The Mr. & Mrs.

I really need to start organizing my wedding pictures. I am such a slacker.

-Pamela Joyce

Nail Polish Review (Shatter, Crackle, Graffiti) - Revisited.

Hello. Nice to see you all again... :)

Anyway, I just want to write a quick blog about my last post (click here).  I just want to take back what I said about the Sally Hansen Crackle.  I must have gotten a bad batch that time I went to Walgreens.  A few weeks ago, I was in CVS and I decided to once again try the Crackle nail polish... Guess what? It worked this time!  Yay!

So again, I take back what I said. If you want to get the Sally Hansen Crackle, go for it! But maybe you should try it first (right there in the store) before buying it? Just to make sure you don't get a bad batch like I did...  LOL.

- Pamela Joyce

Nail Polish Review (Shatter, Crackle, Graffiti)

I know this "review" is late since this type of nail polish has been out for months now. I guess I just want to tell you my own personal experience with the different brands that carry them...

So my first encounter happened when I was in NYC running errands with my parents about a month ago. To kill time, I walked to the nearest Urban Outfitters store to do some (window) shopping. This is when I came across the Graffiti Effect Nail Polish by Layla Cosmetics. The black and the fuchsia pink caught my eye... $12 a bottle???!!! Yes, sadly it was that expensive... What's even more sad was that I desperately wanted them that I gladly forked over $24+ for the two bottles of nail polish!

What was the reason for this desperation? Besides the fact that I was bored? The fact that whenever I go into a Target or a CVS or something, they were always out of the OPI Shatter, and I've been wanting to try them for months now (damn it!)... since the day I first saw that Katy Perry ad in a magazine!

Anyway, that day I had on the Revlon Top Speed nail polish in Guava that I got from Target (my favorite store... ever!), which I'm sure I only paid a few bucks for. Within minutes of buying the Graffiti Effect nail polishes, I started putting the black one on... I was amazed at how I can actually see the nail polish "crackling." I was definitely happy with my purchase, and started showing it off to my mom...

Base color: Revlon Top Speed in Guava; Top Color: Layla Cosmetics Graffiti Effect in Black

Base color: Revlon Top Speed in Sheer Cotton; Top Color: Layla Cosmetics Graffiti Effect in Fuschia

Fast forward to a week or two later... My sisters and I walked into a Walgreens, and guess what we saw? Sally Hansen Crackle... for about $5 to $6... I can't remember the exact price, but it was half of what I paid for before so naturally I went a little crazy and bought all the colors available, which were blue, white, and gold. Naturally. LOL.

I was super excited to try them so I started trying all three colors on one my sister's hands. We were so disappointed! All three weren't "crackling" that well... Sometimes, they wouldn't even "crackle" at all! The blue one looked like I took a blue Sharpie and colored my nails with them! I looked up reviews online, and found that people actually gave it a good review... Maybe I just had a bad batch? But all three? Or maybe the Layla nail polish worked so well that, in my eyes, the Sally Hansen nail polish just couldn't measure up to it... One thing is for sure... at that point, I was more than happy to pay $12 for a bottle of the Layla Cosmetics Graffitti Effect.

Dejected, I went home and went online to urbanoutfitters.com  to buy more of the Layla nail polish, and to my disappointment, found that they don't carry the nail polishes online. I then decided to search online for any stores that might carry them. It was really hard to find the Graffiti Effect, and when I finally found a store on ebay.com that sold it, it was being sold for $102! I kid you not... that was the listed "Buy Now" price. Typo? Maybe. But it was highly unlikely since all of them were listed for, or around, that price.

Dejected, yet again... but not for long. I ended up buying the OPI Shatter instead. I found a seller on amazon.com who was selling a package of 5 different colors (white, black, blue, red, navy blue) for $24.80. I definitely wanted a red, white, and black, and since each bottle costs anywhere from $7 to $8, it made more sense for me to get the package deal.

I personally have not tried the OPI Shatter yet, but I've read the reviews online... Plus, I know people who have used them, and I have seen their nails  I don't think I'm going to be disappointed at all. :)

- Pamela Joyce

P.S.- Justice (the girls clothing store, formerly known as Limited Too), also carries their own version of the crackle nail polish. I heard their pretty cheap too!

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Update (11.04.2011) - I have something new to say about the Sally Hansen Crackle nail polish.  Please click here to read it.  Thank you! :)