Archive for June, 2009

Hair Straightener Shopping

June 21st, 2009 by Manda | 10 Comments | Filed in Question of the Week, Style

I went to my hair salon to get my hair cut last week, and after my stylist finished cutting my hair, she used this fantastic straightener to straight my hair as she was blow drying it. This was honestly the best straightener I’ve ever seen in my life. It heated up quickly, straightened my hair beautifully, gave my hair a glossy shine, and allowed my stylist to finish styling my hair swiftly and efficiently. Basically, in the few minutes it took for my stylist to turn my hair from tousled waves1 to a straight style, I fell in love with this straightener.

This magical straightener is iTech’s Wet-&-Dry Ceramic Tourmaline Flatiron. I asked my stylist how much that straightener cost, as I noticed she had a few new, unopened ones stacked in the display window. That was when I was jolted back to reality after experiencing hair straightener nirvana: this particular straightener sells for around $200USD retail!

Obviously, I can’t afford to shell out that much for a hair straightener, even if it is one that borderline has magical powers. I don’t straighten my hair every day, so I wouldn’t be getting my money’s worth for that straightener, even if it does last me for years and years. I do, however, need a new straightener as my current one is a cheap, crappy straightener that gives my hair more frizz and split ends than straight hair. I don’t know where to start looking, though2. I don’t know what good companies are for straighteners, what particular models are good, or what a ballpark price is for a straightener that’ll give me my money’s worth. So, this leads me to ask:

Question of the Week: What are some good hair straighteners you have used/would recommend? What useful knowledge do you have about companies, models, and price ranges?

  1. My hair, right after drying, is generally wavy, but straightens out and gets kinda poofy after I brush it out. []
  2. I probably should have asked my stylist for some recommendations and/or cheaper models, but I was so surprised by the high price of the iTech straightener that I forgot to ask her about other straighteners! []

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Skins Seasons 1 and 2 UK (2007-2008)

June 20th, 2009 by Manda | 9 Comments | Filed in Reviews

Tagline: A group of optimistic kids who grab life by the balls

Skins Seasons 1 and 2

Skins Seasons 1 and 2

Summary: The story of a group of British teens and their lives of love, drugs, alcohol, and authority figures, as well as their struggles of growing up and trying to find happiness

5 Words/Phrases: Brilliantly written, fantastic cast, totally believable storyline, good depth and exploration of each character, quite groundbreaking in terms of some of the material covered

Most Impressed By: Tony (Nicholas Hoult) and his character arc in both seasons; the strong impression Effy (Kaya Scodelario) had on the series despite having a relatively minor role; the testing of friendships between the whole group, particularly Maxxie (Mitch Hewer) and Anwar (Dev Patel); the realistic depiction of the relationships in a group of friends with Tony and Michelle (April Pearson), Cassie (Hannah Murray) and Sid (Mike Bailey), Jal (Larissa Wilson) and Chris (Joe Dempsie); the (sometimes terrifying) likeness to “real life”

Least Impressed By: …nothing!

Overall Rating: 10/10

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Top 5 Last.fm Artists

June 19th, 2009 by Manda | 5 Comments | Filed in Entertainment

I’ve had my Last.fm account since January 2008, and in the last year and a half I have scrobbled nearly 15,000 songs to my account. While my favorite song fluctuates from time to time, generally my all-time favorite songs and artists remain the same. In order, these are my current top five Last.fm artists:

  • Tegan and Sara
    Favorite songs: Superstar, Not With You, I Know I Know I Know
    I don’t remember how I first heard of Tegan and Sara. I think it may have been through a friend of a friend, but I can’t remember. I didn’t like their songs when I first heard them, but now I love all of their songs and think they are an amazing duo. Absolutely amazing.
  • The Veronicas
    Favorite songs: Untouched, Revenge is Sweeter (Than You Ever Were), Mouth Shut
    I’ve loved The Veronicas since the first time I heard their single 4Ever on the radio while I was living in Australia. Their songs are the soundtrack to my teenage girlhood. Jess and Lisa seem like such fun girls and their music is so irresistible and catchy. And my God, I want their wardrobes!
  • Lily Allen
    Favorite songs: LDN, Back to the Start, Him
    I think Lily is superb, and I’m always excited to see what her newest releases are. I love the sound of her voice and the edginess of her lyrics. She’s very clever, and that’s strongly apparent in her songs.
  • Taylor Swift
    Favorite songs: Forever and Always, White Horse, Fearless
    I’m not a country music fan, but I do like Taylor (and I think she is becoming more pop than country, at any rate). When I saw her video for Love Story, I had to get her album. I think her voice sounds incredibly sweet and her lyrics are always relateable.
  • Jem
    Favorite songs: 24, I Always Knew, How Would You Like It
    Krissy introduced me to Jem’s music, and I’m so glad she did. I love Jem’s voice, and how the mixture of melody and lyrics and vocals work so well together to create a really haunting and memorable sound.

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