Hair Chop!

Before

So it finally happened! 

GOT MY HAIR CHOPPED, YA'LLS!!

Drum roll please......


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Oh the anticipation!

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After

Cut: Right below the shoulder with layers. 

Sunlight is my filter

This lupus hair fall out wasn't playing! 

I heard that hair short was best for thinning hair. Short hair worked for me four years ago when I was first diagnosed and when my hair fall out was a bajillion times more traumatic.

My experience this time around isn't AS bad but still rough because as I said in my post about my hair falling out again, hair for us females means something to us. It's traumatic to see it fall in abnormal amounts. 

My current hair fall out opens up a whole can of warms. It brings me back to the pain I felt four years ago. It makes me worried about my health (hair fallout tells me my lupus is very much active). So many thoughts, so many emotions, so many worries.

Part of me was really sad to cut my hair. Growing out my hair and keeping it long was my "F*@k you" to lupus. I went from AT LEAST 75% of my hair falling out to about 85% regrowth. Yeah, yeah. Who knows what the actual percentage was... Point is I lost A LOT A LOT of hair BUT I also grew most of it back. Since my hair is naturally a big poof ball, I was able to create illusion of my once redonkulously full hair. 

HAIR EVOLUTION
Once my hair stopped falling out in 2010, I did use BioSil which is a hair, skin and nails regrowth and strengthening supplement. I honestly felt like it worked back then. As for right now? Since my hair is still falling out, I think it is just slowing down the process for now.

The evolution of my hair since it fell out in 2010 (I don't have many pictures from 2010- 2012 when my hair was at it's thinnest. I hated taking pictures!). 

Summer 2013

My hair was stronger and I was finally able to let it grow out without constantly cutting it

May 2014

Poor quality picture, but I wanted to show you how long my hair was

June 2014

My hair was loooooong

July 2014

Hair cut to right below my chest

September 2014

I cut my hair as it was starting to fall out in late August. One day I woke up with hair all over my pillow and I thought Enough! I cut it right above my chest. It continued to fall out more and more and so I chopped it off!

October 2014

Pictures the day I cut my hair

I was really digging the peekaboo brown underneath. Chopping off my hair means chopping off most of my peekaboo. You can still see the peekaboo brown but it's not as in yo face as it would be with my hair long. With sunlight (as in my after picture above), the contrast is more apparent.

No strong sunlight

SHORT HAIR PERKS

- I am using less hair products which makes them last forever! And it saves me money!

- My hair dries so much faster!

- I have less knots (my hair was crazy knotted underneath ALL the time. Rats nest!)

- Style time is cut down by more than 50%

- My hair does not get caught underneath my arm pits or even my car door...WIN

I haven't had my hair this short by choice since 2007 but I suppose change is nice :-) still re-learning how to style it but it's all coming back to me now. And it is quite fun to play around with. 

Just because I cut my hair short, my struggle does not end: Insecurities about hair continued and future fallout, concerns with my health, and feeling like I have "lost" (I know, silly talk!) a mini battle. Despite my crazy talk, I will continue to fight fight fight!

I am a lupus warrior! I am not giving up. 

<3<3<3

Nails of the Week: Purple and Silver

These are the nails I rocked last week. It's a little sloppy (my silver lines are not straight), but they are well-intentioned!

I Google searched purple nails and found my inspiration from there. 

I used Sally Hansen Miracle Gel nail polish and the accompanying Miracle Gel top coat.

You must MUST use the Miracle Gel top coat with this Miracle Gel polish for best results. Granted, I haven't tried other drugstore gel-esque nail polish, I do vouch for this Sally Hansen pair. The top coat adds a long lasting gel shine that lasts as long as you have it on.

I initially used the purple polish with a regular Sally Hansen top coat, but it was nothing special. The shine disappeared after a day and the purple did not last as long.

When I used the gel polish and the gel top coat together, my nails and their shine lasted so much longer than with the non-gel top coat.

I definitely love this new line from Sally Hansen. If only the polishes were a bit cheaper.

<3<3<3

The November Grateful Challenge! Part 1

Living the hustle and bustle of life makes it easy to forget our many blessings. We get caught up in life and we do really forget to stop and smell the roses.

I've decided to take part in the November Grateful Challenge! The November Grateful Challenge (or 30 Day Grateful Challenge, whichever or whatever you want to call it) is about taking the time to recognize what you are grateful for each day in November.

I will do weekly compilations instead as they give me an opportunity to really reflect on the past week instead of rushing to post something daily. It's just easier for me. You may choose your own execution! :)

Let's begin! :)

1. Welcome to the world, Baby J. You came two weeks early!  I am so happy you're healthy and that you gave your mom (one of my closest friends from high school) an easy time with the delivery! :) You are immensely loved <3

2. I came across this photo last week on Pinterest. Just looking at this little guy makes me happy. I had dinner  and went shopping with Ben last night and I must say, this is how he makes me feel :) (*Cue the cheesy "awwww"s)

(Original picture source: unknown)

3. This Mickey/Minnie Mouse hooded sweatshirt from Uniqlo. It's just a sweater you may say, but there's so many things about it that make me feel so happy and blessed!

a) It was on sale from $29.90 to $19.90! 

b) Who doesn't love Mickey and Minnie?? 

c) I write a lot about my little nephew. He loves Mickey whom he calls "Baka" (I'm not sure how he got that! LOL). I knew that him seeing me in this sweater would make him oh so happy! A smile and sparkle in his eye are things that warm my heart immensely. 

(Here's a mini sneak peak of my hair chop! Read why I did it here)

What are you are grateful for this week?

<3<3<3

A Mickey Mouse Carnival Birthday

On September 28, my nephew turned 2. *Cue tears. Where has the time gone?! Babies growing up...this has to be illegal. Why?! :(

Since there is nothing we can do to freeze time and keep babies as babies, the best we can do as they get older is to throw an amazing birthday party! Well, at least that's what happened for Baby O.

He's the first and only child of one of my best friends of 20 years. Baby O's biggest obsession at the moment is none other than...drum roll please...Mickey Mouse!

This birthday was quite the event and took about a year to plan. Yes, a year. Set up at the park started at 9 am and I did not get home until 9pm. It was quite the day!

There were different booths at set up at the park: photo booth with 36" balloon props, tattoo booth, can toss, sack racing, popcorn machine, Mickey bouncer, prize booth. It was such a shame that the weather was soooo hot during the day (after it had rained in the morning) that the booths did not have visitors for the majority of the party.

Here are some of my favorite photos from the day:

Before the guests arrived

Photo booth

"Tattoos"

Cake area

My little honey bunny can't get enough of "agua"!

His favorite part of his birthday party: the mini water park

This kid LOVES water. He spent a good chunk of his water swishing through this water park and through the drinks' water cooler. hehe. This guy <3

Minnie Mouse inspired nails

Minnie Mouse inspired outfit

And that was that. A year's worth of planning poured into one day of bliss. It was all to see that little boy smile.

He definitely had the time of his life. He has a lot of family and family friends that love him to the moon and back.

We love you, kid. You may just never know how loved and adored you are <3

<3<3<3

The Autumn Tag

Fall (or Autumn, whatever you prefer) is probably my favorite season! Boots, scarves, beanies, leggings, coats, warm seasonal drinks, pumpkin!, coziness, ahhhhh. Just listing those fall favorites put me in a sudden daydream of happiness.

When I saw +Maj Valencia 's post TAG: The Autumn Tag, I had a big smile on my face. Although the weather in Los Angeles hasn't quite jumped on the Fall train just yet, her post reminded me that FALL is HERE!

I love love love Fall and just had to do the tag myself. 

Here goes it:

1.  Ok we're talking coffees - what's your favorite seasonal drink from Starbucks or another coffee shop?
Usually the PSL (pumpkin spiced latte), but I get it "altered" because if you order a straight PSL, it's very sweet. I don't like sweet coffee too much. I'll get a grande latte with one pump pumpkin spice syrup. It's less sweet AND you get charged the price of a latte instead of a specialty drink (which is more expensive than a latte). Hey, hey coffee addict working the system!! ;) Sometimes, sometimes, baristas charge you for that one pump. BOO.

2.  Accessories - what do you opt for, scarf, boots, gloves?
All of the above! I have Raynaud's Phenomenon in addition to Lupus. Raynaud's is also an autoimmune condition in which I have irregular blood circulation. This means I get abnormally cold. So if you're cold, I'm freezing! And when I'm really cold, it feels like the cold is "eating" my body (sorry, TMI). It's awful. Anyways, if I had to choose one accessory, I would say boots. There is something about boots that make me feel confident, empowered and sexxxay! (Is it just me?! LOL)

Photo credit: Macy's catalog 2013

Franco Sarto Boots Cymbols

<3<3<3

A present for me last year! Can't wait to bust them out again :D

3. Music - what's your favorite music to listen to during Autumn?
Whatever's mainstream? :) LOL. Didn't know there was Autumn music! Hmmm..I would say "Rosie and Me" station on Pandora. I love every song that comes up. It's mellow and cozy just like Autumn.

4.  Perfume - what's your favorite scent for this time of year?
I wear Bath and Body's Sheer Freesia Body Spray all year long. I am looking to  "grow up" and venture off to perfume but I think perfume smells way too strong with one sniff. I'm still searching for the perfume that is just right! Suggestions for a sensitive nose?

5.  Candles - what scents will you be burning this season?
Anything PUMPKIN!

6. What do you love most about Autumn?
The return of the PUMPKIN. I love pumpkins. Too obvious? I love the coziness of Fall as well as fashion of Fall which is pretty cozy. And I made a full circle. 

7. Favorite make-up look?
This Fall, I'm been into the vampy look! I'm not quite rocking the dark dark lip just yet. Baby steps! I recently purchased NYX's matte lip cream in Copenhagen and Wet n Wild's Sugar Plum Fairy.  I think those two are a good start. I almost always wear winged liner and heavy mascara (if not at work) all year round. That's just my signature and go to look. My lip color is the only thing that really changes.

8. What are you looking forward to most in Autumn?
Besides the fashion and the seasonal treats, I am excited about coming together with friends and family for little pot lucks and get-togethers. Life gets busy for all of us, but somehow, in Fall, we find time to really sit down, chat, and enjoy some good food! And you guessed it...we also have pumpkin parties.

I tag all of YOU! And specifically +Chaunalea Tricia , +thriveonnovelty (although it's spring for you), and +Kreyola Journey 

<3<3<3

Hello, Gainesville!

Last week, I went on a mini vacation to Florida!

It was very short. Too short. I flew in on a Wednesday night and left Sunday morning. It was definitely not a enough time to explore. Despite the time crunch, I was able to get a good sense of the community that I was in. 

I spent most of my time in Gainesville, a small college town. It was definitely a cultural shock coming from the big bustling city of Los Angeles. Gainesville is very low key, rural-looking in some parts, and has a communal small town feel.

Native residents had southern accents. It was pretty cool! As a medical social worker in Los Angeles, I've come across many many different peoples and cultures. My patients from the south have been some of my most favorite: humble, communal, spiritual, and kind. It was really exciting for me to be on their home turf. 

The weekend I came was homecoming weekend at the University of Florida, Gainesville. I was an honorary Gator (UF) for the weekend, able to partake in homecoming activities such as the law school tailgate and Gator Growl (concert). 

Check out some pictures below (WARNING: Some pictures may be "boring"/random but each is a memory for me):

Winn Dixie: a supermarket chain with the nicest employees! My first taste of the southern charm!

So random! But I had to take a picture!

Lake Alice: Lays in the middle of the UF campus! It is home to alligators, fish and turtles. So sad I didn't get to see an alligator :(

You can't really tell, but I'm holding a Cuban coffee cortadito

The most interesting turtle I've ever seen! Spotted in Lake Alice

Saw Ludacris perform at Gator Growl. Also saw Foster the People

Alligator Rice Bowl: I know! But it was so good! It tasted like a hybrid of popcorn chicken and popcorn shrimp

Key lime pie: I searched all over for Key West key lime pie. I couldn't find any in Gainesville so I settled for this, a key lime tart. It was okay =/

Watermelon as a side?! "Only in the south" says a Gainesville resident

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa

Ta-daaaa!

Instead of getting a parking entry ticket, I got a poker chip! Never have seen this before!

Bayshore Blvd in Tampa

The sun is setting on the Bayshore Blvd. So so beautiful. These pictures don't do the Bayshore Blvd any justice. It was breathtaking in person. The homes along Bayshore Blvd were also breathtaking.

It's been real, Gainesville. This city girl really enjoyed the small town vibe that you gave. You totally captured my heart <3

I hope to see you again one day....

<3<3<3

Fall Treats: Oh My Pumpkin!

Tis the season for PUMPKINS! Just like most of the world, I am wholeheartedly excited with the seasonal appearance of pumpkins. My family, my friends, and even my coworkers know how much I love pumpkin! They always make my day when they see me and bring me a pumpkin goodie telling me, "I saw this and thought of you." AWWWWWWWW. I am loved! or either very loud about my pumpkin obsession....HMMM ;)

To kick off the beginning of Fall and Fall yummies, one of my best friends and I had a mini pumpkin kitchen party!

Here's what came of it:

Pumpkin oatmeal cookies with pecans and dark chocolate chips

Homemade pumpkin spiced lattes

I take no credit for the recipes. I found both via the web:

Pumpkin oatmeal cookies

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/10/02/favorite-pumpkin-oatmeal-cookies/

I actually stumbled across this recipe by chance on Instagram. I "clicked" on #pumpkin and the first picture was of pumpkin oatmeal cookies. I had to ask for the recipe. And the woman so graciously shared it with me. The online world can be a kind, kind place :)

Pumpkin spiced lattes 

http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/234849/quick-pumpkin-spice-latte

It was delicious and not so sweet like the PSLs that you buy at coffee joints. I prefer my coffees not sweet so it was perfect! Of course, you can add more sugar if you like that extra sweetness.

The only thing I would need for the future is a mesh cloth or cheese cloth to strain the milk after everything was mixed. That's the only tool I didn't have. 

Future menu includes:

Pumpkin ravioli 

Pumpkin martinis

Pumpkin poptarts

Stay tuned! 

<3<3<3