Posted by Luana | 4 Comments

Luana Loves

Hi lovelies! Things are going great, I love everything and it is snowing in the most unusual places in Spain yet we had such a beautiful day in Madrid today. Things I’m loving:

• Waking up for class and actually feeling rested! I am not sure why since I’m still going to bed a bit later than I should. I think my naps after class are helping, maybe?
• Makeup. Damn you, Youtube! I have new goodies to play with so I’ve been trying some things around. Also loving the MAC Syrup lipstick Tom got me for Christmas :3 Sounds and looks yummy.
• Getting a higher mark than I expected on my stats test! I left the entire last question blank so I must have done everything else right…yay! Now to find out how to do that last question so I can do it for the exam. Grr.
• Drinking a glass of water as soon as I wake up. I’ve heard about this being healthy and a subtle form of detox for the body (for the start of the day anyway.) But mostly I do it because my allergy pills make me thirsty so I wake up craving water.
• Crunchie Bars, courtesy of Tom again. I think everyone should be granted the privilege of Crunchie Bars, not just the UK!

The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before. — Albert Einstein

What have you guys been loving this week?

Posted by Luana | 4 Comments

15 Things I Learnt Living in Beijing

I was 18 and fresh out of high school. Most of my friends went straight to uni, but I was thinking of a gap year in Beijing. I absolutely loved it and stayed for a second year. Here is a brief list of some of the (many!) things I learnt during my time there!

1. Language barrier  shmarrier — when your life depends on it your brain will spit out words you never thought you knew!
2. Cup noodles are not a good permanent dinner replacement.
3. Cab drivers are not only full of insight and street smarts, but they are a good source for practicing both listening and speaking.
4. Having a day of the week to sort yourself out is key; laundry, kitchen & bathroom cleaning, bill paying.
5. True friends will always have your back, no matter how drunk you were.
6. That said, finishing two Soju bottles on your own is definitely not a good idea.
7. When you buy tickets to see Tiësto, make sure you’re there 3 hours early or risk not even making it to the dancefloor.
8. Student life is the life.
9. The Great Wall is not so Great after 9 times. If you’re planning on going then get yourself to the old part in ruins; it has not been touched and is beautiful, without all the tourists and vendors around so you can get a nice photo!
10. Government censorship.
11. An afternoon out at Ritan Park, in the boathouse, with dumplings, is an afternoon well spent.
12. Bargain! Anything for sale you can get for less.
13. Hou Hai and the surrounding Hutongs are beautiful, even in the freezing winter; bikes are available for rent so you can explore to your heart’s content! One of my favorite places in Beijing.
14. Coming home at 8am in last night’s getup while everyone’s grandparents are out doing TaiChi does not make you look very good.
15. I want to go back.

Posted by Luana | 9 Comments

How To Look Decent in a Photo

So you went on a trip to Greece with your besties and get back home to load up all the photos on Facebook, only to find that you look hideous in most of them, with the exceptions of the ones where your face doesn’t show (like me, minus the Greece trip.) Everything new slightly throws us off, which is why seeing our reflection in the mirror every day can be more comforting to us; we grow accustomed to it and come to accept and even like it (except for those inevitable off days…). Take a picture of us from a completely different angle in a different light and watch as we can’t decide whether or not to tag ourselves in there. Maybe you don’t like your picture taken, or you’re slightly awkward in front of a camera.

Natural beauty

• It is picture day; the entire high school has woken up an hour early just to get their hair right and to practice in front of the mirror. BIG mistake. It was 9th grade and I was one such individual. Once the photographer tilted my head and rotated my body a thousand times, I let my rehearsed smile shine. The result: a fake smile, unruly hair and earrings hanging awkwardly in the wrong directions. The only year I actually looked decent, was the year I didn’t put any effort into it. Be natural, especially when smiling! Think of something funny enough to make you smile but not overly hilarious to make you scrunch your face awkwardly. Tip: A real smile can be seen not only in the mouth but in the eyes.
• Experiment, take self portraits if necessary. Find your best angle and play up to it in photos, but vary enough so that you aren’t pouting with your head tilted slightly at a 30 degree angle, hand on your hip in every single photo. Again, keep it natural and relaxed!
• Posture! No slouching allowed, as it will make your belly pop out, your neck shorter and your boobage saggy. I struggle with this one, mainly because slouching is my natural state of being. I’ve tried to correct it, but I give up way too easily. At least photos are an incentive to be more aware of it!
• Spontaneous photos tend to turn out the best, or at least are good at capturing the moment!

Little touchups

• I’m not one to edit photos on Photoshop, regardless of where my pimple was, mainly because I find it tedious and it makes my computer incredibly laggy. Instead, I propose tackling those little things before the photograph is taken.
• If your skin is slightly oilier than average, a few touchups with those little blotting papers should keep the shine out of your face in photos. I hear great wonders about pressed foundation as well but have never tried it myself! Any other tips to eliminate shine?
• Concealer for panda eyes and little pimples or scars works, but don’t cake it on as this will show even more.
• For a radiant smile make sure you take care of those pearly whites! Same for skin and hair. Personally I think hands well taken care of go a long way in completing a stunning look ;)
• Remember the closer your hands/feet are to the camera the larger they will appear!

The rest depends on your style and whether it lets your personality show through; Knowing how to dress for your shape is always essential, but I don’t believe that wearing patterns is necessarily bad if that is your style. If it works for you then it works, period!

What tricks do you have for looking better in photos?

Posted by Luana | 4 Comments

Youtube Treasure Chest

It is no secret that I spend unhealthy amounts of time online, but what’s even more astonishing is the percent of that time (about forever%) I spend on the wonderful realms of Youtube. Need some cheering up? Bloopers, America’s Funniest Home Videos, cute puppies, imaginative children and the things that come out of their mouths; Want to know how to ____? Makeup tutorials, photoshop tutorials, crafty and DIY tutorials galore; Missed Lady Gaga’s VMA opening performace? Just type the words! There is literally something for everyone. Here are some of my favorites, all randomized for your viewing pleasure ;)

Wear Sunscreen

Frozen Grand Central

Yellow Sticky Notes

I Met the Walrus (Canadian Beatles fan sneaks into John Lennon’s room; interviews him!)

Evolution of Dance

Darth Vader Being a Smartass

French Bulldog

Maru the Cat

Annoying

Boy Sees Lobster for the First Time!

Just Dance/Sweet Dreams Mashup

What’s in your Youtube treasure chest? Share!

Posted by Luana | 2 Comments

The Key To Everything