Pomelo girl thoughts

Introducing Deirdre Clemente, a historian of 20th century American culture at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas! Her research focuses on fashion and clothing and the patterns and trends she’s followed are really interesting. She did an interview with Robert A. Ferdman of the Washington Post and it’s really educational. For example, individuality is obviously a big part of today’s culture, what with the lower barrier of entry for startups and freelancers and the acceptance of some more counter-culture type groups. In terms of clothing choice is more important than ever, and something that is no longer class-restricted.

Imaginary Authors: Stories

Posted on September 6, 2015 by elemonated

Bit of a different format for the reviews today. Since Imaginary Authors is all about stories and evocation, I decided to write a very short story in response to some of their products. I haven’t written nearly any very creative things since I started business school because the place kind of drains me of mental energy, so I’m really glad I was able to get this much out. These stories are based on a vigilante concept that Mr. Chokkattu and I discuss whenever someone who’s a waste of space shows up on the news, and the style is a tiny bit inspired Brandon Sanderson novels (though he does it much, much better.) Hope you enjoy!

Memoires: vanilla, sandalwood, chocolate, myrrh, warmth, woods, spring trees Read More

Scent Trunk Box Review!

Posted on September 4, 2015 by elemonated

A fellow smelly had done a review of what they got from the baby company (May 2014!) Scent Trunk in a Youtube video a few weeks back, so I decided I’d try it out! I’m a sucker for the niche and the indie, and I was excited when the box got here so quickly after only about a week’s time. My referral code is 8522, or you can click here to sign up.

I did have a few technical difficulties regarding the site, but their customer service (aka Will Yin, who is also CEO; love that entrepreneurship) cleaned that up quickly, and I can see that they’re still going through a few design transitions, which doesn’t bother me at all. I kind of feel like they sent me the regular starter pack though; two of the fragrances sent to me were on their back-to-school blog post, and while that is admittedly my demographic, it’s not as though this was my first foray into niche fragrance. (I’m about to get to reviewing the glut of Imaginary Authors samples I have by the way!) But I mean, it’s not as if they knew that, and I haven’t tried any of the brands they sent, so that’s definitely a plus.

They did send Mr. Chokkattu almost explicitly feminine and floral scents though he ordered unisex and I helped him move his sliders to where we thought we’d get something in his ballpark of woody and oriental, so that was rather strange.

However, I’m holding on until the next box at least! Hopefully it works out a little better. On to the reviews!

Fjallkonan: Iceland

Posted on September 1, 2015 by elemonated

Check out this wonderful video Mr. Chokkattu made of our time in Iceland!

Both Jonsi’s Helmgilas and Phoenix’s Love Like a Sunset were songs we played over and over driving through the country and I think Iceland’s beauty can really only be underlined by someone from there. We both miss Iceland dearly, and personally, for me this video is a tribute to happiness.

(If you see some Asian dork in blue, it is 100% NOT ME. NOT ME AT ALL.)

New layout!

Posted on August 27, 2015 by elemonated

I have to be up at 6 and should be sleeping but instead I changed the style of my blog again!

Check it out! It’s a little more casual, definitely more bold. Not completely sold on the heading picture yet, might go buy some pomelos and the appropriate colored paper and redo it since the photo’s not technically my art.

If you love me and care about my well-being, tell me what you think!

300th Post: Can’t be bothered

Posted on August 26, 2015 by elemonated

Things that starved me of life today:

Driving to Princeton.
Forgetting the fragrance I was going to wear.
Driving to Trenton.
Going to the DMV.
Driving from Trenton to Edison.
All of the edible spots in Edison being on the other side of the road.
Driving around Edison during rush hour.
Driving around Edison and having to convince every cop blocking a road that you belong on that road because you’re working the event they’re blocking.
Driving home from Edison when there’s construction going on and the local roads are dark as hell.
Being really hungry but knowing that 11:40PM is not a good time to be eating anything.

Fortunately, Mr. Chokkattu bought me naeng myeon and Chow Chow puppies exist and I love them. Life restored.

Budlet’s Florida Water review and NYC rent hikes

Posted on August 24, 2015 by elemonated

Review’s at the bottom! I got a little carried away with the opinion part.

Florida was a fun find while browsing NYC’s famous (opened in 1971) Pearl River Mart before its depressing brick and mortar close in December because of a giant rent hike at the end of this year’s lease. Pearl River Mart houses tons of Asian/Chinese clothing, plateware, mugs, teapots, cooking utensils, chopstick designs, a small selection of instant noodles, various sauces, and Asian snacks, as well as a tea balcony, a bunch of random knick-knacks downstairs, and plants.

Valentino’s Uomo

Posted on August 23, 2015 by elemonated

Valentino Uomo

Wet: super sharp bergamot, tonka bean, faint chocolate, weird leather
Dry: smooth milk chocolate, hazelnut, floral notes, leather, bergamot, leather, wood

Cocoapuffs

Posted on August 19, 2015 by elemonated

I said I wouldn’t make a directly Iceland related post, so this post is not about Iceland (though I am absolutely going to use a ton of the same tags.) Instead I wanted to make a little tribute to my level-headed and adorable travel mate, Mr. Chokkattu.

In the kayak, Seyðisfjörður

Not only was it his idea to go to Iceland despite my original hesitation and ignorance, he helped make the trip worthwhile by being his kind, patient, sweet, wonderful self.

However. That’s not quite all he did…

Things I adored about Iceland

Posted on August 18, 2015 by elemonated

11894812_10152912534585356_834481783_o

A picture Mr. Chokkattu took of me while we were on a kayak.

This will be my last post explicitly about Iceland!

So we all know now that I adored the country of Iceland, and I want to go back some day really, really badly, with maybe a job long enough to support me for a few months or just some more cash in my pocket. And that the scenery is beautiful and the landscape breathtaking, etc. But I have to share some of the specifics I jotted down. Some of them are important, some of them are surprising, some are less about Iceland and more about trips in general, and some are pretty stupid but whatever they seemed important enough to write down at the time. This list is a little long, so let’s get started: