New York Musings 2014/2015

There's just something about being away from home that makes me want to travel at a constant, but home will always be home. I don't get to travel as much as I'd like to, so being able to travel is definitely a treat for me.

I love seeing new sights and experiencing a new culture in lifestyle. It was my first time being in the east coast of the United States so it was a definite must in my books. I even got to see snow for the first time although the actual "first" time was a bum trip with "fake" snow that made me think "ohhh... so this is snow?" Luckily a couple of days later I got to experience "real" snow for the real first time where the snow was delicate and soft, so this time around I was more satisfied with the experience could consider it another thing off my bucket list. 

Being in New York entails a lot of walking, regardless if you own a car or not. The city is huge and being that it was the holiday season it was overwhelming with lots of people. With lots to see and do, twelve days in the big apple was ample time for fun and especially relaxation. 

The first few days were a bit chilly. Of course it was the coldest I've experienced anywhere from my travels but it was rather enjoyable, and it only got colder to about ten degrees Fahrenheit — which was "okay" when it wasn't windy. Under layers and layers of clothing and the inability to freely press on the shutter of my digital SLR, I took more photos on my trusty iPhone. So, enjoy some of the stills of sights from my New York musings. 

Central Park, New York

Subway on 59th Street, Manhattan

Staten Island Terminal, Manhattan

A view of the city upon the Staten Island Ferry

A view of the city from High Line Park

High Line Park

Bubby's, Meatpacking District

Kiehl's, Meatpacking District

Under a bridge, Manhattan

Rockefeller Christmas Tree

Grand Central Terminal

Somewhere near Times Square

Brooklyn Bridge (first sunrise of 2015)

Top of the Rock — I'll never forget the feeling when I first saw the city scape from above, I literally felt like I was on top of the world. 

A view of the city from New Jersey

Ootd collective: September-November 2014

Just like my prior posting, I'm just posting a new archive of my most recent outfit pictures. 

From black and basic to chic and comfortable, most of my outfits are chosen fresh out of my closet while I'm still half awake waiting for the day to start. Thank goodness for pajama pants that allow for stylish yet workable day wear. Fall's my favorite season and I try to make the best of it in Hawaii. I prefer flats (and boots), but working at a salon calls for wedges which I've grown to be able to stand and walk in them all day long. 

Details of my outfits can be found on my tumblr: jusebox.tumblr.com

Thank you to my wonderful photographers: Sherilyn, Kathrine & Nina. 

Calligraphy musings: old & new

I've been meaning to create a regular section for all of my calligraphy musings but it's still in the process. I haven't made the time to religiously practice my calligraphy on a nightly basis... no new news. I'm quickly filling up the capacity on a new and more organized hard drive, so all of my musings are a bit more easier to find and access whenever I please. NTS: purchase 10 terabyte hard drive to last a good few years as the size of everything increases monumentally throughout the years.

Calligraphy is one of my newfound hobbies and passions. It's one of the most time consuming, yet most liberating of all my hobbies, but I have definitely sparked an extreme interest for this art. It's been about a year since I've been practicing and there's still so much to learn. The feeling of the tangible is just something I can't live without. I've been experimenting a lot since I've started: I've been experimenting with all types of paper. It sure does make such a difference to have the right tools for any sort of trade; I've been experimenting with different mediums: brushes, markers, inks, nibs and gouache; and I've been experimenting with different styles all of which are more pressure-based (as opposed to angle-based calligraphy) because each writing instrument produces different results. I have still yet to achieve a style to call mine but for now I'm just getting used to all of my writing instruments while I work on other side projects corresponding to calligraphy on my super long bucket list of which ironically I have yet to write down.

Maternity photoshoot: Jhelyn + Robert

Yesterday I had a lovely opportunity to photograph parents to-be, Jhelyn and Robert. Although the weather was a bit gloomy and we had to hide in our cars and wait for rain clouds to pass twice, we made the best of it with about an hour until the sun started to set. 

The art of soap making

I spent Sunday morning and afternoon taking a soap making class at the Honolulu Museum of Art School. It was a beginning class where we learned the basics of soap making and safety precautions since the art of soap making, saponification, deals with chemical processes. We also got to take a one pound batch we each made by ourselves (which is currently being cured, then has to sit out for three weeks before I can use my own product). I made an almond milk infused soap, so I can't wait to test it out!

A very interesting fact I learned in class was that we may think we're using soaps to clean our bodies, but we might just be using detergent. Note that if the product you are purchasing does not say "soap" then it's most likely a detergent — which is really just a combination of chemicals and synthetic oils that's cheaper to produce. I.e. beauty car, cleansing bar, etc. ;)

I've developed keen admiration for handmade soaps mostly because I'm often fascinated by the packaging/wrapper used and for my love of aroma therapy. Now that I've learned the basics, I can't wait to experiment a little more with the endless array of combinations to use as recipes, especially exfoliation and scent factors. I'll also get to utilize my graphic design background to experiment with packaging design, but first I must invest in all of the supplies that I need to make soaps — that's always the hardest part.

Afternoon tea w/ Maybelle #maybelleworkshops

Sunday, August 3, 2014: I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a very intimate calligraphy course taught by Maybelle Imasa (website + instagram) at Cookspace Hawaii. Of course this eventful day would not have been made possible without the hardworking hands of Miemiko Co. and Cake Gallery Hawaii. 

It was a fun-packed three-hour long get together with inspirational people, delicious treats, and a wonderful area to learn and just mingle with like-minded creatives. Cari of Miemiko Co. gave me the chance to take my newly acquired Canon Mark 5d II for the very first time, as well as gave me another push to finally blog again. 

I've always wanted to attend a calligraphy course by Maybelle because she had been one of my inspirations from the very start of my newfound modern-day calligraphy interest. She's even more friendly in person than she is online. What I loved the most about her was that she took the initiative to reply to each and every of her many comments on Instagram to help others as much as she could. I would highly recommend taking her class as she now travels around the world teaching and telling her story. 

More photos are available in the gallery of my smilebox website: smileboxhawaii.com

The cities that I dream are not the cities that have been

During Christmas vacation, some of my friends got together for a vacation in Las Vegas. It was my first time being away from home an ocean away with friends. I would say we had quite an enjoyable time - no stress, eating, sight seeing, drinking, dancing, fun, fun and more fun - the typical lifestyle of a tourist in the city that never sleeps. 

Five days later I headed to San Francisco, and frankly I didn't like cold weather. However, I did enjoy exploring downtown during Christmas time - the perfect time to walk around during night with a hot drink in your hand as you enjoy the stores, decorations, lights and sidewalk entertainment. Other than the lack of vast exploration, I was with friends and their families, then I got sick, but after spending time in Las Vegas lacking hours of sleep, it was good to stay in a city that allowed for sleep.

Last but not least, I went to Los Angeles. My budget and cold hindered what could have been a grand vacation so I wasn't able to see much but that's enough for me to say I'll be back. With the endless array of fashionable shops, eclectic lounges, blocks and blocks full of art, there's always something that's fascinating in my eyes. But until then Los Angeles, I'll be back for you, the city of (my) dreams.