30 Day Challenge!

Remember this challenge from last year? Well, I’ve decided to do it again, and I’ve decided to do it better. (That’s what she said! :P)

This time, I’ll be much more prepared and it will be much more fun, because I don’t have to pull something out of my butt to talk about every day, since there’ll be pre-decided topics. Those of you seasoned blog readers may recognize this challenge. The things I will be talking about this month, per the original rules, will be:

Target Canada Haul & First Impressions!

My first Target Canada Haul! :D

At laaaaaaaast!
My looove has come along...
My lonely days are overrr...
And life is liiike a sooong!!!

I am, of course, referring to Target’s arrival in Canada! This is proof-positive that every once in a while, the Retail Fairies answer our prayers*. Those of us who have Target on our US Must Go Lists have been hotly anticipating their debut here in the homeland ever since it was first announced.

On the day of their debut (Tuesday, March 19th),

Tasty Tuesday: Hide-Chan Ramen Food Porn

Pork buns

I've done a full review of Hide-Chan Ramen before, which can be found here.  On my recent trip to New York, I tried a few other things from their menu, so I thought I'd do a follow up post to tell you about them.

Pictured above are their pork buns - a slice of grilled pork belly with crisp, sliced lettuce and Japanese mayo sandwiched in cloud-fluffy white buns that reminded me of mantou.  These buns!  These buns were so soft, so light, and so fluffy.  The pork belly was torched to perfection.  The lettuce was very fresh and the mayo tied it all together beautifully.  These were so good we asked for another order right after the first was finished!

Chicken karaage

The chicken karaage was good but not amazing.  I've had better in Toronto - more about that later - but the dipping sauce was quite good.  The chicken was adequately crisp and juicy.

Gyoza

My little cousins were big fans of these gyoza but I thought they were just okay.  They were teeny-tiny though, so don't count on these being filling!

The Lowly Finance Marketer

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I’ve found that whenever I go on dates, inevitably at some point the fact that I almost went to law school will come up. It’s because living in France and Spain are some of the most interesting things about me, I think – and definitely two of the most exciting things ever to happen to me.

You see,

Shellac 2 Week Update

Bio Seaweed Gel Soak-Off Gel in Grapefruit, 2 weeks later

Hi guys!  Here I am for the last installment of my Shellac experience - here are parts one and two.

These photos were actually

Sometime During 25, I

A quarter of a century ago today!

Sometime during 25, I:

Shellac 1 Week Update!

Bio Seaweed Soak-Off Gel in Grapefruit - 1 week later

Hi guys!  As promised, here I am exactly a week later to give you an update on my "Shellac" manicure - to see my intro post about the product and my experience, click here.

I have to say,

What I'd Tell My Younger Self

Me at 19!

Don’t go for the most glamourous jobs – go with what you do best. This will save you lots of time, money, and heartache.

Don’t go for the guys who are ideal on paper – that doesn’t necessarily translate to a good partnership & relationship in real life.

You’re so creative; put it to good use and don’t be afraid to reach out!

Switch after first year if you don’t like your major – “give it another year” is shit advice that you should not listen to.

Sororities and Greek life are not all they’re cracked up to be – don’t join one!!! Life is much better as a GDI. ;)

Mom’s right; school comes first.

Mom’s right again; don’t dye your virgin hair because it’ll irrevocably damage and dry it out, and it’ll never be as soft as it naturally was to begin with. You’ll go grey and need to dye it regularly soon enough.

Never let anyone – family or otherwise – bully you into doing anything you don’t want because you’re the one who has to live your life.

He’s not worth it.

Neither is he.

Or that guy, either, but he won’t be a complete waste of time because at least you’ll learn something about yourself.

You are capable. 

You can and will save yourself – don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Exercise regularly, floss diligently, and wear sunscreen daily.

Binge-eating doesn’t actually make you feel better – at least not after you’ve swallowed and the food is no longer in your mouth.

Do your own makeup for prom – it’s so not worth what they charge at those bridal salons and you will hate your pictures forever! But it’s okay to pay to get your hair done because you’ll never learn how to make it look nice.

Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve for every new friend that comes along; the best people you know and the ones you can trust with your life are the friends you’ve known since childhood.

Boys love bums, no matter how meagre. So stop being so self-conscious about yours – it’s perfectly adequate. Also, you’re better-looking and skinnier than you think you are.

Enjoy life and have fun! 

You’ll be okay.

Soak-Off Gel ("Shellac") - First Impressions

Bio Seaweed Soak-Off Gel in Grapefruit

I know.   I know!  I must be the last woman within my age bracket in the developed world to properly try "shellac", or soak-off gel polishes.  Soak-off gels

Why I'm Awesome At My Job

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The following are some verbatim requests from my boss that I've fulfilled at work:

“Tina, I need to find someone. He’s